And frankly, the constant manipulation is supposed to be cute but bothers me.

Amen! That was exactly what I most disliked of To Die For, and the reason I don't think I'll be picking up this one. I got the feeling there that Wyatt and Blair's relationship was going to be a constant power struggle, Blair trying to manipulate Wyatt into doing things and Wyatt trying not to be manipulated, and that sounds exhausting and horrible to me, not romantic!