Overview
What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?
Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, 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 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. Streetlamps 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.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
Shultz's debut is an absorbing romantic tale of curses and the power of love. For 16-year-old Emma Connor, leaving her alcoholic stepfather (and family tragedies) to live with her great-aunt in New York City is a relief, but Emma's hopes of flying under the radar at her exclusive new private school are dashed when she becomes the target of snobby mean girls and a skeevy lothario. Yummy Brendan Salinger comes to her rescue, and they instantly click, but strange things start happening: streetlights blow out when Emma's nearby, and she's receiving warnings from her deceased twin brother in her dreams. As Emma puts the puzzle pieces together, she learns time is running out for two souls stuck in a "never-ending cycle of reunion, romance, and then tragedy." Shultz's characters have great chemistry and snappy dialogue, and the author captures the tantalizing energy of a new romance and the ugliness of teen jealousy. The relationship gets rather gooey, and the second half of the story falters until the dramatic climax, but readers should still be swept along by the protagonists' faith in true love. Ages 14–up. (July)VOYA -
Family tragedy forces sixteen-year-old Emma to leave small town life and move to New York with her wealthy aunt. Emma must navigate the halls of an exclusive, expensive prep school with only her freshman cousin, Ashley, to guide her. On her first day, Emma is harassed by the resident mean girl. The school bad-boy, Brandon, comes to her rescue. Emma is immediately drawn to Brandon, but it turns out that her attraction to him may be fated. Emma's attempts at making it through high school unscathed are complicated by a mysterious amulet, a centuries-old curse, and the sad history of doomed lovers. Teen fans of paranormal romance will enjoy this tale. Emma is a real, sympathetic character who tells her tale with humor and creative turns of phrase. The supporting characters are standard teenage archetypes: the gay friend, the mean girl, the oddball Wiccan, but they are still engaging. The dialogue is funny and realistic. At times the story tugs at your heartstrings, but without crossing the line into trite sentiment, which is no small feat. The paranormal aspects of the story are well-told, and nicely balanced with typical teen problems. Shultz is clearly laying the foundation for a series, making this an excellent purchase for any library with readers who enjoy a bit of magic with their romance. Reviewer: Heather PittmanKirkus Reviews
Upper East Side prep school meets fairy-tale-romance escapism in Shultz's debut.
In the wake of a series of family tragedies, Emma Connor escapes her wicked stepfather to live with her wealthy aunt in New York. She's the new girl at a small, posh private school. Having already had her fill of drama, Emma is content to remain invisible—until she lays eyes on rich, handsome Brendan Salinger. Emma crushes on him as only a teenage girl can, desperate for signals that he returns her feelings. But stranger things than the hottest and richest guy in school paying her attention are happening—streetlights die above Emma's head, and she dreams a warning from her dead twin brother. With the help of a classmate who is a practicing witch, Emma learns that not only are she and Brendan fated to be together, but they are also doomed by a curse. Aside from dealing with vicious cliques, lies and rumors at school, Brendan and Emma must find a way to break the curse before it claims her life. The 1,000-year back story of the curse is more fairy tale than historical, but then again, so is the love story. Emma's witty, charming narration makes her engaging and easy to relate to.
The familiar characters and tropes reincarnated into this story make for delicious brain candy for romantics.(Paranormal romance. 13 & up)