Title:  Spellbound [Indie Bound] [Amazon]
Author: Cara Lynn Shultz [website] [twitter] [facebook]
Genre:  Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: Spellbound
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher (via Net Galley)
Parental Advisory: alcohol, sex, criminal activity, violence
Teachable Moments: bullying, emotional and physical abuse, self-esteem

“I leaned against a lamppost, trying to steady my breath and my thoughts.  The light above me flickered, catching my attention.  My back leaning against the post, I looked straight up into the light.  It burned very brightly for a moment — as if it were on a dimmer switch that was suddenly put on full blast.  I heard a crackling noise, and nervously stepped away from the lamppost –  just as the light inside burst, shards of glass clinking against the frosted case.  The smell of something bitter hit my nose, and I winced.  It was suddenly very dark all around me — reminding me that it was getting too late 00 and I should go back home.”

Summary (from the publisher):
Life hasn’t been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs.  But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend?  Not so much.  Friendly faces are few and far between, except for the one that she’s irresistibly drawn to — Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can’t stop staring.  Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Street lamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma’s been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives — visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan.  Or else.

Opinion:
Spellbound was a very quick read for me.  One that had basic characters and a simple plot.  This isn’t a bad thing though as at the time of reading this is exactly what I needed.  So kudos to Shultz for creating an entertaining story that moves to completion satisfyingly and quickly.

Despite being the higher than usual level of action there was little complexity to the plot of Spellbound.  Outside of the paranormal elements it was pretty straight forward in the romance and high school drama departments.  The story focuses on a young girl who has latent memories of a past life that progressively bubble up.  These memories are brought to the forefront as a result of her growing attachment to the hot, rich, popular boy in school Brendan.  Their relationship is difficult to navigate as they are drawn to each other while still feeling a degree of animosity.

The romance between Emma and Brendan was as plausible as love that spans time can be.  There was definitely chemistry between them and I wanted to see them end up together.  I did, at times, feel like some of the situations devised to keep them apart felt over manufactured and a bit further on the drama spectrum than needed.  However, I doubt younger readers will really notice.  I suspect that some of what I experienced would be viewed as heightening anticipation.

Shultz also did well with the backstory as to how Emma and Brendan really knew each other.  The folklore of how their lives were intertwined increased the romantic elements past the usual “he’s the hottest guy in school everyone wants so I have to want him too” that some books tend to fall into.  Sure, there was some hand-wringing and definitely overwrought behavior by all parties but ultimately it wasn’t too over the top enough to turn me completely off.

One of the most interesting characters and plot lines in the story was Ashley and the abuse she endures as a result of her poor choices.  I thought it interesting that Ashley’s story was so infused into the story.  On several occasions it was used as a catalyst to demonstrate Antony’s role in Emma and Brendan’s relationship.  It was actually one of the best parts of the book as it was realistic and included two of the more interesting characters in the story.  Furthermore, each of those characters were on the exact opposite end of the good/evil spectrum.  Their story was was told completely but didn’t manage to steal away the central focus on Emma’s journey.

From a character perspective I did feel like both Emma and Brendan were a bit flat.  They both felt a little too perfect at times.  She of the horribly abusive background with no parents and he of the super wealthy seemingly well adjusted family with little care in the world.  I felt most comfortable with them when they were featured together as they struggled with their relationship, or when they were with their friends doing normal teenagery stuff.  But alone….kinda meh.  Shultz did a magnificent job of making sure that Antony’s aggression towards Ashley and then Emma was realistic.  Despite his character being the most over the top and a bit cliched I did find him to be a worthy adversary.  For Ashley’s part she was quite saccharine (I suspect more so than usual in an effort to make Antony seem all the more bad) but I quite enjoyed her.

In the end, was this book a keeper?  Not in the way that one keeps books they adore or want to read over and over again.  But, it is one that I’m happy to pass on to those who like paranormal fare.  I certainly enjoyed it for the quick, easy and entertaining read it was.