Cursed: The Watchers Trilogy, Book 1

This was a fast read that both excited and disappointed me. I'll admit I like a good, sappy love story from time to time, but this one almost pushed it too far.It was similar to a train wreck. There were several times I wanted to put it down, but then something happened that would change my mind, and I kept reading until the end. The storyline was similar to a lot of Harlequin novels where you knew pretty much how it was going to end - which characters were going to get together - except it was meant for teens and young adults. When I worked at a used book store, we called Harlequin novels fluff or smut.The story follows an eighteen-year-old college freshman (Lilly) who seems ordinary at first glance. Of course that changes her first day of class as she evades her once best friend whom she fell in love with and in turn meets a new guy who catches her eye right away. Throughout the story, she gains three love interests - the rich boy, the former best friend, and the bad boy. It's very obvious who she'll choose from the get-go because her best friend rejected her when she announced her feelings for him and the bad boy only shows up once a decision seems to have been made already.Brand was too perfect. He had no flaws. None. Zero. Zilch. Nada. It was a big turn-off for me. He had perfect looks. Perfect attitude.When these two got together, the virginal integrity of the book was sweet, but then it drowned on and on. I understand waiting until to have sex, but to kiss? To make out? It seemed unrealistic. I'll swoon the next time a man refuses to kiss me until the moment is "right", but if the reminder comes over and over again, it will annoy me. It would be one thing if we were dealing with younger children, but these were adults. Gag me.However, that's where the train wreck ends because the story actually had a really good plotline. Lilly isn't as ordinary as she thinks, and because of it, someone wants her dead. She and the three men in love with her - all of whom aren't exactly what they say they are either - have to figure out who's after her and why they want her dead. It was enough to keep me reading past the gag-me scenes, and make it to the end. And because it ends on a cliff-hanger without telling us who or why someone wants Lilly dead, I'll probably end up reading the rest of the trilogy.

As noted in the title, this is a book directed towards preteens. And I think it is a light read for that age group. Yes, there are darker elements that Ms. West could have expanded on but I'm hoping those moments will come in the following novels. They seem to progress in she groups as they come out.I have to agree that "Brand" is a little too perfect and all the "I love you's" got repetive. He's independent wealthy, gourmet cook, quite the gentleman, protector, and super sensitive. He is supposedly able to take care of himself in a fight but we never see any actual evidence of this. And being told from Lily's point of view, she never sees any of this; he wants to protect her from any emotion except love and happiness.The other two that proclaim their love for her are less monotonous. Will gave her up a few years ago but still has feelings for her and Malcom constantly flirts with her openly in a cheeky way. Everyone seems to get a special content, feel-good vibe whenever she is around. And no one can explain it, they're just completely enamored by her and have to be near her. Hopefully this will be explored further in the series as there were some promising leads. As well as some villains that may (hopefully) resurface.But the exciting bits are about who is trying to have her killed and who has been interfering to save her from that person. I think what's missing, for myself, is the suspense involved in a good mystery. The events that happen to Lily don't seem to be developed deep enough. It's over quickly and back to loving bliss. Close to the very end you find out who has been after her and that things change. Then it seems to end rather abruptly.Overall, I enjoyed the book. Despite it not being too in depth it was a nice read and I will finish the others in the series. I read the "Harvester" series, which first brought me to this author. Those books are for an older audience and there is definitely a difference. So I think we can expect a little more as the age for the novels increases.

Lily's had a tough childhood. With a mom who wasn't really much of a mother, and a father she's never known, growing up in a trailer park could have been hell. Fortunately, her best friend, Tara, and Tara's grandmother, are her true family. Without them, she doesn't know what she would have done. The dialogue between these lovely characters is snappy and loving, and I completely enjoyed their world.One of Lily's best friends growing up is Will, a gorgeous guy that she fell in love with. But when she tried to declare her love, Will dumped her hard and disappeared from her life. Hurt but determined to get on with her life, Lily starts college with Tara, only to discover that Will goes to the same school. Ouch!Then a new gorgeous guy comes into Lily's life, and he is everything she could ever want in a soul mate, but is he too good to be true? In fact, he isn't what he seems to be, at all.Angels, good and bad, populate this inventive paranormal, and the writing is top-notch.Still, I think the best part of this book may be the narration. Christa Lewis kept me listening past the beginning when the h read like a bit of a goodie two shoes, which I typically find dull. Happily, the story picked up, and the pacing was very good, giving a sense of something not quite right without going overboard. When the badness comes along, you've already sensed it, even though you don't know what to expect.Having read book one, I can't wait to pick up book two.

At first I thought this was the usual and predictable type of book, but the more I read the more I enjoyed it, really love some of the characters and feel an empathy with them, the story line is just starting to come together at the end of the book so can't wait to start the next one.Good read.

Brilliant book it definitely is a different twist on an old story can't wait to read book 2 and 3 !

This was a great new concept to a PNR story and I really enjoyed it. Interesting narrative and it was well paced and intriguing enough to keep me interested and reading more. I also loved that I didn't guess the way the story was going and that the author kept me on the edge of my sofa. Looking forward to reading the next one.

I love the characters, the romance and a great storyline as the mystery unfolds.The story was written really well so you can follow the story and characters.

This was such an easy book to read. Loved it :_)Will be looking forward to the next one in the series.