Audiobook Review: Cursed by SJ West

Author: SJ West

Narrator: Christa Lewis

Title: Cursed

Series: The Watchers #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance, YA, Fantasy

Format: Audiobook

Published: October 18, 2012

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Since she was eight years old, Lilly Rayne Nightingale felt like Fate was trying to wipe away her existence through a series of odd, near fatal incidences. Luckily, her best friend Will was always one step ahead of Fate preventing her from being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Will was her knight in shining armor until he broke her heart after their one and only kiss.

On Lilly’s first day of college, she meets Brand Cole. Intrigued by Brand, Lilly must decide whether or not she can give up her adolescent fantasy of being reunited with Will and allow Brand the opportunity to conqueror her heart.

Not only do Will and Brand both love Lilly, they share a dark secret neither wants Lilly to discover. Lilly thinks Fate is after her once again when a new series of attempts on her life start to take place, but she soon learns someone of flesh and blood is trying to kill her this time.

Review:

Soooo I read the spin-off series first. Whoopsies. You SHOULD technically read this series before the 'Watchers Chronicles'. I guess it doesn't really matter at the end of the day though...

Here we follow Lilly Rayne Nightingale. Since she was a child she has always felt Fate was trying to wipe away her existence through some odd incidences that should've killed her. Luckily, her best friend Will is always one step ahead of Fate. Will was always her knight-in-shining-armor and she loved him...until he broke her heart. On her first day of college, she meets Brand Cole who seems perfect for her. However, she will soon realize Brand and Will both share a secret that could change her life forever. 

Feels funny reading this one. Things are normal-ish, especially Lilly. It was nice, though, seeing a fresh and young version of Lilly before all mayhem is released!

This was SO much more YA than the other series. The other one was YA too, but this was super duper YA. Nothing wrong with it, but Lilly is such a naïve thing here. Sometimes too innocent and pure. There were some scenes that made me slightly cringe........

I really hated how every man/angel/demon/thing wanted her! You will understand later on (because I spoiled myself by reading the spin-off first) but it was exhausting. (SPOILER) Once she meets Brand and she learns the truth about Will...it is no longer is a love triangle....but there was a good chunk of time when it was. (END OF SPOILER) Like I KNEW the truth and what will happen but I was still SLIGHTLY annoyed by this. I am beginning to not really like ANY love triangles especially when the character is like Lilly and seemingly perfect and every SINGLE man in the world wants her. There are reasons I know, I know but STILL. If I didn't read the spin-off I wouldn't have had the patience. Maybe everyone should read that series first LOLLL. It was so good. 

Don't get me wrong...I adore Lilly and Brand and even Will...but this was rough. Hopefully, book 2 is better because I really did like them in the other series. Now that the secrets are out and Lilly has picked....things should get better. More action! More angel/demon politics pleaseeeeeee!!

Tara (spell?) who was Lilly's bff was amazing! Loved her. I hope to see her in the next and find her HEA. I don't remember her being in the spin-off....(it's been a while)....so I am worried about her future. She is too awesome!!!

Oh! Nearly forgot...the narrator was pretty good. Not as good as the other narrator for the other series, but she fits Lilly perfectly. 

2 stars from me. Someday I'll dive into book 2, but not for a bit. I'm tempted to read book 1 of the spin-off to remind me of the good times. ;) 

Challenge(s):
- #7 for Audiobook challenge

- #4 for Romance Reading Challenge - Fantasy