A massive thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Books and Rebecca Zanetti for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

WOW. What a book! I absolutely LOVED it! I raced through it, but I also didn't want it to end.

When I read the synopsis for One Cursed Rose, I instantly wanted to read it. A dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast? Yes please!
It was everything I wanted it to be and more.

Rebecca has an addictive writing style that grabs you immediately and doesn't let go. I loved everything about it: The magic, the romance, the characters and the storyline.

Alana and Thorn were magnetic and their chemistry was off the charts.
I loved their friends and family too, especially Justice, Ella, Scarlett and Quinlan. I found Stacia intriguing too. I'm hoping this is just the start of an epic dark romance series. 🤞 I definitely need more.

I highly recommend.

5 well deserved stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(I'd give more stars if I could)

This book was a challenge for me to get through. I have read numerous books by Rebecca but I feel that this dark Beauty and the Beast retelling just wasn't done well. The writing in the first third of the book was elementary and hard to read through. I couldn't believe this was the same author who had written the deep ops series. The sentence structure was really basic, didn't flow in a way that seemed to convey a story. Instead it felt like bullet points to just get to the next section. The way the author chose to describe Thorn's Synesthesia was also extremely confusing.

What tipped it over the edge for me were the names of several characters. Yes it is a beauty and the beast retelling but please do not use names from the actual Disney Movie - The FMC's dad is named Maurice, her brother is Gast, the MMC's friend is named Coggsworth and his "housekeeper/estate manager" is Mrs. Pottsdam.

The storyline with the crystals and the four families and the way their social media companies was also confusing. The way the social media companies were driven by emotions, time, memories etc just didn't seem to meld cohesively for me.

The last 2/3 of the book seemed more in a writing style of what I would expect from Rebecca and it became easier to read. I did find myself just reading quickly to get to the end to see what would happen.

It also became clear that the author plans a Cinderella retelling with one of the characters - but it's also so close to the fairytale that it is cringeworthy for me. The woman's name is Ella and she has two step sisters and a step mom who have taken over her family company and kicked her out.

Overall it was a decent story but I won't be continuing the series or recommending it to friends.

“One Cursed Rose,” by Rebecca Zanetti

I really liked this book. I liked the magic through crystals powered by social media which is unique and modern. It gave me less of a regular fantasy book but more magical realism. The book was well paced and had so many tropes and characters that I really liked. I cannot wait until the second book comes out. 4 out of 5 stars.

-Dark Romance
-Magic
-Mafia/Gangs
-Billionaires
-Kidnapped/Forced Proximity
-Touch Her and You Die
-Beauty and Beast Retelling

Thank you for the ARC!

Ok, I'm totally intrigued! I don't think I've read anything like this before. This is a beauty and the beast retelling with a very unique twist to it. It's a bit mysterious with the crystals and why some families have an affinity to certain stones. It seems there is great power with the stones, but a lot is unknown in this first book. I enjoyed the main characters. Thorne was obsessed and I like that he took what he wanted. He's dark but I a good kind of dark. Alana is more than what she shows to others. She strong and smart. I liked them together. I'm very interested to see where this series will go. This was a great first in the series!

A sexy and sizzling modern twist of beauty and the beast. If you are in the mood for a dark romance, this will hit that mark.

It was an easy read, not boring or bland but well written novel that flowed easily. The two main characters are Thorn and Alana. Alana is naive and innocent, trying to find her strength to stand up for herself, to find what she truly wants in life and for herself. Thorn is a man who knows exactly what he wants. He has a strong empire but someone is trying to weaken and destroy it and Thorn himself.
The dynamic of these two polar opposite characters was electrifying!

Will these two find something together or will corruption and greed destroy everyone and everything?

I love Ms. Zanetti's Deep Ops series and Sin Brothers series. This book was a bit of a different type read for me but overall I enjoyed it. After seeing it was a twist on the Beauty and the Beast story I had to give it a try. It took me a bit to get into the book but once I did I didn't want to stop reading until it was finished. Thorn and Alana were intriguing characters and the other characters (supporting cast) were interesting additions to the story. Thorn's obsession with Alana kept me reading (kidnapping, chipping her, etc) and his flaws (physical and social) made the story even better for me. This one is a bit steamier than some of her other books I've read so keep that in mind if that bothers you. I especially loved the conclusion of the story and how Alana, with the help of the others in the book, "save" Thorn. I've already been thinking of other characters from the book who might be the main characters in the next book in the series.

Sexy, steamy, and just the right amount of dark. Thorn and Alana had me hooked. The world building is unique. It took me a little bit to understand what was going on, but once I did I was intrigued. This retelling of Beauty and the Beast is a great kickoff to a new series that has a lot of promise. There are several interesting characters. I really want more of Justice. It also kept me guessing and I was stunned by the reveal. I can't wait for more!

This book has literally everything. Fairy tale retelling, magical realism, serial killers, dark romance, mafia-y storyline, it's even sort of local to me :)

In this new series, Zanetti introduces a group of four families that run all of social media out of the "Silicon Valley". A few cities are mentioned but for the most part if you're local it doesn't take you out of the story. Alana Beaumont is the strongest member of Aquarius Media - she's the biggest influencer and can keep the crystals that run the entire internet (?) charged.

Alana's father tries to marry her off to a son of another family but she is kidnapped by Thorn Beathatch, the head of Malice Media. Thorn decides he and Alana are fated to be together.

Meanwhile Thorn and his crystals have been cursed and he is slowly dying. He trades Alana back to her father in an attempt to heal himself and the company.

There are backstories about how the mothers of both families died, and the makeup of Aquarius Social changes a bit adding some more distant relatives. Alana is also friends with Ella, who has a stepmother and 2 stepsisters that have taken over her father's company and kicked her out of the family.

Overall Zanetti got me interested in the series by it being a fairy tale retelling (Beauty and the Beast is my favorite) and even though I don't generally like fantasy or magical realism, that portion of the book didn't affect my enjoyment of the story and characters. I really enjoyed Alana and Thorn's relationship and the fact that the story had a little bit of everything in romance-land.

I can't wait to read about Justice (Thorn's brother) and the other characters introduced in this book in future retellings.

Music tie in - "I Wanna Be Software" by Grimes.

I received an advance copy and am giving an honest review.

One Cursed Rose unfolds as a captivating tale, blending romance and mystery seamlessly. The author's vivid storytelling and well-drawn characters breathe life into this enchanting narrative. The interplay of blossoming love and fantasy creates a compelling and magical atmosphere, making it a delightful read.

Got to admit, it took me a few chapters to finally understand what was happening with the families and the gems in this one. Once I got the gist though I was well and truly hooked. I also didn’t’ realise it was a take on Beauty and the Beast (only slightly). I absolutely loved it, and I loved Thorn Beathach. He really was a beast, with an extremely dark side, he was also one of the good guys, he didn’t think so, but he really was. He was violent, unforgiving, and the perfect match for Alana Beaumont, who was not the quiet, ditzy socialite that most people thought. I loved her too, she stood up for herself, she knew her limits and her abilities and she pushed through them to get what she wanted. A little on the supernatural side, a lot on the sexy side along with some violent and graphic scenes that some may not enjoy as much as I did. An addictive read that I couldn’t get enough of. I really hope we get more stories from these families. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I love everything I have ever read that was written by Rebecca Zanetti and this was no exception. This is not part of any of her previous series and goes a little more into the fantasy realm with a wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Alana and Thorn are the main characters in this tale of mystery, murder, criminals and world domination via social media. I was kept constantly guessing as to whodunit and loved the outcome, as well as the reference to the Kayrs family--have to love the cross-over! Highly recommended.

There will quite literally never be enough classic fairytale reimaginings out there- especially when ones with such unique concepts like this one exist!! You think you're in for a regular tale as old as time? A song as old as rhyme? You are certainly not going to get that with this dark romance, Silicon Valley social media mogul/mafia family, slightly fantastical take on Beauty and the Beast!

Our beauty, Alana Beaumont, is the darling of Aquarius Social and a secret vigilante with her group of best gal pals (seemingly Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty). Our beast, Thorn Beathach, is the Irish mafia leader of Malice Media with a slight (okay not so slight) obsession with our beauty and a curse freezing him from the inside out. On a night gone wrong, Thorn ends up kidnapping Alana (clasic), taking her to his home that she can't leave that just so happens to have the best library she's ever seen (and she can read in about 10 different languages so that's saying something), and Alana ends up getting Stockholm Syndrome...I mean falling in love with her beast.

This story delivered so many of the highs of the classic tale we all know and love, while mixing in other fairy tale characters and plots, while also creating a completely new and interesting set of circumstances (and upping the spice level). I may have giggled through some of alpha male commentary that comes with a mafia-style romance, but I did genuinely enjoy the story and look forward to seeing if our other mafia fairy tales come about!!

Thank you so much to Rebecca Zanetti and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review. Check this out when it comes out on June 25, 2024!

A retelling of beauty and the beast in fantasy romance. I was confused about the four families, their mystical world, crystals, and mixture of social media. It takes time to understand the workings. Characters are okay, and the pace is engaging. Chemistry and romance between Thorn and Aalana are exciting. The ending twist is great. Overall, a time pass entertaining read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book.

Nope, definitely not for me. Lots of repetition but not enough info about the crystals and how they actually work. I was very confused and never could follow that thread. To me, the "romance" felt like an overblown 50 Shades. I didn't feel the chemistry between Alana and Thorn. In fact, I didn't particularly like any of the characters. Parts were so ridiculous I had to skip ahead. The violence was more than I was expecting, and the scene in the bathroom with Alana, Thorn, and the knife, was disturbing.

Kudos to Rebecca Zanetti for trying something new and different - much as I love her work, I can't see myself continuing this series.

I’d like to start by saying Rebecca Zanetti is one of my favorite authors and I own almost everything she’s ever written. With that said, this book was definitely darker and different from anything I’ve read by her before. As always, there is great chemistry between the main characters Alana and Thorn, and a lot of action and mystery. I did not see the one of the twists at the end coming, though I’d begun to suspect the other.

I struggled a little bit to understand the world building for this one—how the four families use their crystals and the tie to social media—but I did appreciate the reference to the Kayrs, indicating this is taking place in the same world as the Dark Protectors. A description I read said “set in an alternate Silicon Valley where information is power, and those who control the flow of information live like gods”, but this was not quite made clear during the actual book.

I loved how the relationship between Alana and Thorn developed. (Stalker, much?) And of course Thorn has an amazing library as you’d expect in a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. As a warning, their sexual encounters were not ever sweet and loving. It was heavily about his having control and all that entails. It’s not my favorite genre, but if you’re into spanking and light BDSM, you will probably enjoy that part of it.

I’m definitely interested to see where this series goes!

SPICE 🌶🌶🌶🌶

💫Review💫

"Thorn: You’re racking up punishments faster than a demon collects debts.
Alana: You’re the damn demon keeping score.
Thorn: Yes , I am. And baby, the house always wins. Prepare yourself".


Well damn. Where do I even start. This book surprised me, thrilled me, and utterly blew me away.

It was not what I was expecting at all. It was far superior. This has swiftly become one of my top reads for this year. I have devoured this book in roughly 6 hours because I literally could not put it down.

One cursed rose is a dark, delicious, steamy re-telling of beauty and the beast. And by god, was it done well. The author writes in such a way that grips you from the first few pages. I was hooked. Thorn entered the scene and i was a woman obsessed. The stalker elements in this storyline and both Thorn and Alanas characters and the way they interacted with each other were giving me strong haunting adeline vibes. It was delicious.

The pacing was perfect, the plot twists I did not see coming and I absolutely loved the magical system and use of crystals within this story. It is not something I have seen done before and was therefore unique and intriguing. The complexities of how it worked with coding and tech gave it a modern element and kept it complex and exciting.

The plot was perfection, the pacing was spot on, the character depth and development was brilliant. The spice!!! Sexy, smouldering, give me more!!. I really enjoyed the moral battle alana was having in her head because I was having it right alongside her. 'This is wrong' yes, yes it was, but did I want it too? Damn right I did!!

I could honestly rave about this book forever it was a masterpiece but im avoiding spoilers. I cannot wait for more and believe this is part of a series.

1000% must read.
.

5 star read. Twisted tale full of intrigue with lots and lots of steam. This is marketed as a take off of Beauty and the Beast. The outline is there but it is so much more. Mystical, social media, bad things happen and both Alana (Beauty) and Thorn (Beast) are doing things behind the scenes for good. That being said, Thorn has no problem showing dark. Killing, sure thing. A little dismember here and there, sure, why not. Again it is so much more than that. The enemies to lover trope is a little more like innocent and Dom. More erotica which will make steam lovers happy. The 5 star rating is because I was intrigued and captivated with the plot. The twists, the knowledge that people can be good and bad. The icing is if every steamy scene was removed the book still deserves a 5 stars and stayed with me after the read. Thank you for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #OneCursedRose #RebeccaZanetti #KensingtonBooks #NetGalley

When an author takes on a beloved classic, you tend to think you know what you are going to get. Rebecca Zanetti delivers a Beauty and the Beast retelling but with a completely different, new, unique and unexpected world set in social media empires and mystical components. This book surprised me and really brought something new to the story. The characters are fierce: a sassy heroine with a heart of gold, an alpha male with a twisted past and an obsessive love that has all the best intentions. This book takes you on an adventure, lots of action and heat, plus a plot twist you never saw coming.

A new take on the Beauty and the Beast tale, set in an alternate Silicon Valley. The intrigue of the story revolves around a “curse” sent via virus into the male protagonist’s network and how to stop it before it kills him. I found many of the decisions made by the leads to be dumb but once I settled in to read for just the steamy sections I found myself reading quickly. Overall I wasn’t super excited by the storyline and felt that the romance was ridiculous but it was still fun.

My. God. I just finished One Cursed Rose and I’m just sitting here gobsmacked. Rebecca Zanetti has outdone herself with this one! It took a few chapters for me to understand what is going on and then I didn’t want to put it down. It’s such a unique interpretation of the twisted tech world we live in. Thorn is one of her best redeemable bad boys ever and I love him and Alana together. Y’all will never guess who really done it and I’m still a little shook. By the time the last few chapters roll around you’ll be so invested in the high stakes outcome you won’t be able to put it down. Congratulations Rebecca! You knocked this one out of the park. I can’t wait to delve more into this world.