Nightshade

Andrea Cremer's first novel is as fast-paced and emotionally driven as you'd expect in a best-selling novel aimed at teen girls. Like many comparable heroines, Calla is a powerful protagonist who is nonetheless insecure when it comes to romance. She's inexperienced and unbelievably drawn to both her sexy alpha-male fiancé, Ren, and the sweet and passionate mystery guy, Shay. But by focusing so much on Calla's stomach-flipping feelings of infatuation, lust and (could it be?) first love, Cremer creates a heroine who somehow lacks the substance and spunk of Hex Hall's Sophie, the Mortal Instruments' Clary or Paranormalcy's Evie. 

Calla isn't particularly clever or funny or smart. She is, however, a fierce fighter, doting sister, and protective friend. Sadly, when it comes to her singular interest in Shay, she loses some of her appeal. The two guys each have their merits, and the story is obviously going to divide fans into Team Ren or Team Shay, but it's fairly obvious (at least in this first book) whom the author means Calla to be with ultimately. The cliffhanger ending may frustrate some readers, but luckily the sequel is already available, so you can immediately move on to Wolfsbane.