I adore messy main characters, and the one in this book delivered a lovely arc. If you like second chance romance and forced proximity, pick this one up immediately.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this it was definitely fun and fast paced, the plot was good, but I had one big recurring problem and that was how self centered the main character was. Grant somehow managed to ignore everyone’s problems but his. His selfishness affected the plot too, I noticed that because Grant was so focused on himself we barely got to hear the side charecters internal conflicts. For instance The main love interest had an interesting backstory that I thought would be more explored but was really only scratched in the surface. Besides this I feel like the relationship lacked chemistry, a majority of Grants comments about Ben were physical.
I did enjoy the plot of rebuilding Grants family Vinyard. Also I understand Grant was going through a lot but it got hard to sympathize with him towards the end.

Thank you PenguinTeen and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I have been waiting for this one for so long! Grant still dealing with his break up with Micah has been unable to find inspiration for his art or just life in general. When his mom asks him to help out his Aunt at the families failing B&B he doesn’t have the will to do so. But after a panic attack he finds himself at his aunts door. He agrees to help his aunt to the best of his abilities. They only have a few months until the annual Rose Festival which will be make or break for them. There’s so much to do at the B&B that his aunt hired a gardener. It’s not until he meets the gardener that he realizes what she’s done. Ben, the gardener, Grant’s ex-best friend and first love has come to help his family. Grant’s life has been cursed ever since he made a wish on the Wishing Rose and his best friend betrayed him. Cursed to always be left alone. The reunion’s not exactly a happy one as Ben has a curse of his own. The two reluctantly agree to work together but keeping things professional isn’t easy especially as they’ve both grown hotter. Will they give in to the attraction? Can they repair their relationship when so much was broken and trust was lost? Can he save his family’s home? Is he destined to be cursed forever? I loved Grant’s story so much! I enjoyed the angry witty back and forth between Grant and Ben! It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming, with some comedy and humor mixed in! Aside for the complicated dynamics between the two there’s also the complicated dynamics between Grant and his family, which makes for some frustration and tender moments! Plus it’s full of growth for Grant and Ben, including for Grants artistic expression and goals! It gives all the warm and fuzzies and is a must read!

I know I say this about every author I review, but:

ADAM. SASS. CAN DO. NO. WRONG!!!!

I (honestly) thought he couldn’t top the emotional roller coaster that was Your Lonely Nights Are Over (seriously, I was scared shitless reading that book)… and yet, here I am, writing this review wanting to scream into a pillow with all the joy it gave me!!! The amount of times I saw myself in the main character, saw things I had done as a teenager, actions I had considered, paths I have wondered “what if”… this is a book that is necessary.

Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts is the perfect book for anyone that loves a good rom com that isn’t too heavy on the com and really explores the depths of what it means to be a human with emotions.

This. Is . What. I'm Talking. About. When. I. Say. We. Need. More. Diverse. stories. I ate this up. Give me more more more more more more more.

This is the perfect summertime read. It’s straightforward, sweet, and romantic. It also really unpacks the trauma and difficulties one finds while putting yourself back out there or out there for the first time (especially for queer people). Grant is messy and dramatic and a scoche toxic but you can’t help but root for him. And Ben… well if he has no fans I am dead! You can feel the love in every page and I am so excited for what Adam does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for providing me with an E-arc of this book! From the moment I saw the cover, I knew I wanted to read this book. I had never read an Adam Sass book before, so it was my first introduction to the word of characters that he had built. I honestly love that this book almost acts like sequel in a way to the 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers… WHICH I TOTALLY DID NOT REALIZE UNITL THE END. Immediately after reading, I checked out 99 Boyfriends from my local library because I knew I had to stay in the world that Adam had built.

This was an insanely beautiful story and I LOVED that it was a retelling. 99 Boyfriends from what I can tell served as a sort of Cinderella retelling, while this book was a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I absolutely adored the magically realism that was sprinkled throughout and the way the story conveyed the Beauty and the Beast tale while still staying true to itself. The setting of the story was beyond beautiful as well and I loved the transformation that the winery goes through! Who wouldn’t love wine, roses, and some romance? I finished this book in ONE day, that’s how I know it was that good of a book! This is one that I would absolutely recommend to my students and I think it would be particularly good for seniors because the characters are in that space between high school and starting college.

This was such a cute little book! I'm a sucker for a gay second-chance romance, and this was no different. The bickering, the chemistry, the romance, chef's kiss!! It was the perfect summer romance read with a HINT of spice (barely any). I come from a bigger family myself, so reading this was bittersweet. I love that it's not just a straight-up romance, but it also has some mental health representation too. Another thing I enjoyed was that there was a male fashion designer as the main character. I feel like we don't see men in fashion design as much anymore, so I quite enjoyed seeing one. Overall, a great quick summer rom-com with a hint of spice and some anxiety/depression rep.

Cursed Boys

This was my first Adam Sass book. I don’t think it will be my last. I really enjoyed the dialog as well as the overall plot.

I thought the romance and hurt and funny parts worked so well.

I enjoyed learning about Grant and his history and him finding himself but mostly trust in how the story will be unfolded.

The ending was so good.

Thank you so much for letting me read the Arc! I can't wait to buy this book.

I LOVE this!!! This is such a creative book, like I would have never though of this kind of plot line. (Then again, I don't write.) I digress– I'll. probably update my review once I can fully gather my thoughts on it because it was that good. It's one of those books where you need to do that. Also, me being an artist, I cannot get over the cover art!! (In a good way) <3

Thank you Adam for giving me the opportunity to read yet another one of your great stories this was a cute wholesome read and honestly the important message regarding mental health and healing in this novel was honestly great we need more books in the world with great messages because someone reading this book can see themselves in Grant and relate. When it was revealed that Grant was getting his own book i was so excited i love grant and he deserves his happy ending and let me tell yall this book had such cute moments... When grant tries to save his fams business and help them out things start going all over the place after he finds out who the gardener working for the family is! Who is the gardener? well you have to read to find out but let me tell yall i was shipping these two so hard this whole novel hoping everything worked out in the end but did it?! I love how supportive people were in this novel and the growth these characters showed and the healing that was done in this book was just so wholesome. Adam really wrote such a great story with this one. Adam has such a great craft to write some great YA novels ive enoyed every novel written so far please dont ever stop! I loved all the little references from the other novel as well. The place this novel also took place was so detailed and gorgeous just from the way adam described it. This was a fun read if you all want to read a cute wholesome read with some secrets, healing, grief, romance, good storyline pick this one up. 🌹 Congratulations on yet another great book adam!

We love you grant!

This book was beautifully written, I enjoyed the relationship between Grant and Ben. They’re perfect for eachother, no doubt and they deserve to be happy after going through so much. I devoured it in one sitting and was hoping for more!

Adam Sass has a whipsmart sense of humor and writing. When I read his books, I’m glued to my seat and enjoying every second of it. These feel like popcorn books, the kind that just grabs you in and won’t let you out until the credits roll. I would recommend anything he writes, and this romance is no different. It’s a very classic setup, but it pays off in the way only an Adam Sass can.

I knew I was gonna love this. Adam Sass does it again. I am obsessed with the way Adam sass writes the mcs and their relationship; it’s relatable and alive. I liked the depression representation. I appreciated the family drama bc lord knows we all have it. I did think the whole rose festival storyline was a little boring for me though. Overall 4/5

Love it ! it was so cute and also quite emotional with the message that it brings. A message that is shown in the very first few pages even in the authors note! And it prevails to the very end.

Thank you to netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for allowing me access to this book. This was so cute, sweet, and adorable romance. I loved the characters and their journey to one another.

Although I Have not yet read the 99 boyfriends of Micah and didn’t know that this was the continuation of one of the characters from that book, this book works great as a standalone as well. Really enjoyed that it deals with mental health issues but is also a very superstitious story. I could feel those scenes of him remembering how he felt in the summers he spent with his cousins. Will now go read the previous book.

This was so sweet and adorable. A good reminder of what it is to be young and in love! The way the characters grew with each other was just the sweetest thing.

Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts is a YA Contemporary novel and ugh my heart.

Grant is a flawed protagonist. He uses anger as a shield to protect himself. He is shaped by his trauma. The way his depression is depicted through the book is so authentic. And, my god, this poor boy is constantly getting in his own way and sabotaging his own happiness. I just want to hug him.

This isn’t a lighthearted rom com, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. It’s meaningful. Grant and Ben deserve all the happiness in the world. I adored them. These two cursed boys who are perfect for each other. I loved the way their story developed. The teasing and banter was so fun. And even when the jabs were sharp, it was just what they needed.

Ugh I loved this book. Also I wish I could stay at their B&B. It sounds so gorgeous and even though I won’t need to make a wish (I’m already married to the love of my life) I’d love to see the garden.

Oh and Ro is perfect. That’s it. She was my favorite character and that’s saying a lot since I loved Grant and Ben 😅

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fantastic element for a romance novel, it had a strong story going on and had a great concept. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and how I got to watch the romance elements grow. Adam Sass has a great overall feel and that worked with what I wanted. I can’t wait to read more from the author.