SPELLBOUND

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)