I read and enjoyed Penney’s recent short story that hinted at some of the witch lore of this book — that made me eager to dive into this book. Penner has a signature writing style that is simultaneously beautiful and accessible, and that was on full display here. The past timeline was more grabbing for me; the two timelines/POVs reminded me of her debut. The author did a great job painting the atmosphere. This is a great read for spring/summer time.

I couldn't put this book down!! The dual timeline kept me completely immersed in the story and I literally stayed awake all night to finish reading it. As the different timelines slowly began interweaving with one another, the anticipation for the next revelation grew even more. I've loved each of Sarah Penner's novels so far and can hardly wait to see what she comes up with next!!

My first Penner book was 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝑨𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒚, and I loved it! When it comes to historical fiction, I'm very particular, and Penner's books have pretty much set the bar. I think of her as a master of dual timelines, capturing the essence of women's issues, and creating immersive plotlines that have a way of leaving my heart full.
The way she blends contemporary and historical timelines with the stunning backdrop of the Amalfi Coast here is magical! Ancient magic becomes magical realism, shipwrecks become sunken treasure, forbidden love becomes an epic love story, with resilient characters and relationships being a shared theme in both timelines.
The elements of witchcraft, forbidden love, deep sea exploration, AND an Italy setting all spoke to me and did not disappoint! Especially for those like me who struggle to connect with books of historical nature, I highly recommend Sarah Penner's books. They are a steppingstone between contemporary and historical for fiction lovers, with a great balance of technical, well-researched topics, and relatable characters that make for a quick, enjoyable read! 4.5 stars

I throughly enjoyed Sarah Penner’s previous books. I couldn’t wait to read this book set on the Amalfi Coast. This is a magical story that exceeded my expectations.
I loved reading books set in places that I have been. I could just imagine sitting at a restaurant looking out at the sea and drinking a lemoncello.
This story is told in dual timelines. 1821 Mari and current time Haven.
The Amalfi curse “ a nautical archaeologist searching for sunken treasure unearths a century old curse, powerful witchcraft and perilous love. “
Haven Ambrose a nautical archaeologist travels to Positano to pickup where her deceased father claims there are sunken gemstones. There is an accident where a yacht goes aground. What has happened?
1821 Mari protects Positano from intruders with her witchcraft, the legendary “stregheri”., a magical power of the sea.
The two timelines are woven together perfectly. I couldn’t put this book down.
It is perfect filled with magic, romance and even murder.
The book cover is so beautiful it just draws you in.
Take a trip to the Amalfi coast and meet Mari and Haven.
A perfect summer read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for this early readers copy.

4.5/5 Stars

First and foremost, thank you #NetGalley and #HarlequinTradePublishing for the ARC digital copy of #TheAmalfiCurse which will be released on April 29, 2025.

Sarah Penner’s The Amalfi Curse delivers a treasure-hunting adventure steeped in Italian history and wrapped in an exhilarating adventure. From the moment the story opens, I was transported to the Amalfi Coast, a setting that pulses with ancient legends of the Amalfi Curse and the strega, women that practice the ancient witchcraft of harnessing the power of the sea. Much like the TV show *Outer Banks,* where there is a race to uncover hidden riches, this novel revolves around a quest that fuses magic and historical intrigue with modern-day stakes, keeping the tension simmering throughout.

Haven, the protagonist, is a a diver and marine archaeologist hired to research and inventory the ship wrecks of the Amalfi Coast. She is pulled away from the project by her late father's frenemy, Conrad, who is out for treasure and fame. Little does Conrad know, as Haven's father always said, "sometimes the answers aren't in the water, but out of it". Haven follows her father's clues as well as her instinct, which leads her to the truth about of Positano's past, including the lives of the strega del mare (witches of the sea), Mari DeLuca, and her lover, Holmes Foster. The book follows dual timelines with multiple POVs (Haven, Mari, and Holmes).

The driving force behind The Amalfi Curse is not only the unearthing of lost artifacts, but also the complex relationships between Haven, and her late father as well as Mari and her lover, Holmes. The father-daughter relationship infuses the book with a raw emotional resonance, as Haven grapples with unspoken regrets and a shared thirst for discovering the truth behind her father's research. The relationship shared by Mari and Holmes only bolsters the story as it lends to the history of the strega and the magic imbued in the sea.

The Amalfi Curse stands out as a 4.5 star read, intertwining historical lore, heartfelt family ties, a dash of romance, and high-stakes adventure. It is an engrossing page-turner for anyone seeking an escape to the sun-soaked shores of Italy—with a hint of magic hidden in its darkest grottoes.

First off the cover to this book is beautiful. Second, I enjoyed this book so much, Sarah Penner is also the author of The Lost Apothecary. I actually read this arc and liked it so much, I ordered The Lost Apothecary to see how that one is. I've heard so many good things about that book.

I was so excited to get an eARC of this book, especially since I love this author’s other books! As soon as I saw the sneak peek, I knew I had to read it. And wow - it pulled me in right away! The story jumps between the past and present, with dual POVs from Holmes & Mari in the past and Haven in the present, which I loved.

This book has everything - sea witches, murder, revenge, treasure, and, at its core, the powerful theme of sacrificing everything for the ones you love. It had me feeling all the emotions: surprised, happy, mad, and even in tears. The love story between Holmes and Mari is just beautiful, and I completely fell for Haven and Enzo too!

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this early. I can't wait to get my physical copy when this releases!

I loved The Lost Apothecary, so when I saw Penner’s next book was set on the Amalfi Coast with sunken treasure, witchcraft, and nautical archaeology, I knew I needed to get my hands on it! With its magical blend of historical fiction and fantasy, The Amalfi Curse enchants from its very first pages.

I loved literally everything about this story! The exploration of nautical archaeology as a field and how much onshore research goes into a single expedition. Haven’s, Mari’s, and Holmes’s unique perspectives, and the use of dual timeline as if this story was pulled from our own history pages. The setting on the Amalfi Coast with Mt. Vesuvius as a ticking time bomb. The combination of action, adventure, and romance, and the themes of love, sacrifice, and acceptance. I was fully immersed in the setting, in the characters, and the story. Easily my new favorite by Penner!

Thank you to Netgalley, Park Row Books, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is the perfect historical fiction to add to your summer TBR! I simply could not put this book down, it hooked me immediately. Teeming with mystery, treasure hunting, murder, romance, sea magic and set in beautiful Italy on the Amalfi coast. With a fast paced story told by three perspectives in two different timelines: Mari & Holmes (circa 1820s) and Haven (present day). As the story progresses we see how history affects the future. The story has a heavy focus on sacrifice- for friends, for family, for yourself. How sacrifice is a great form of love.

So…. I read this book in like a day. That’s how hooked I was.

I mean, I knew it was gonna be good, because I read the author’s other two recent books, the London Seance Society and the Lost Apothecary, both of which were fantastic, but this one really blew me away. It’s a little different in that it has dual timelines and is not just set in the past, but I liked that element, in that it gave book a tie in to some modern issues.

In the present, Haven is on the Amalfi coast, researching shipwrecks, and hoping to complete a task. Her father died before getting to see-through. But it seems that both the water and treacherous forces on land are conspiring against her. In the early 1800s, Mari is staring at the same sea, looking for an escape with her beloved when suddenly the safe haven of her home becomes a dangerous place. As a powerful sea witch, she has the power to possibly set things right, but she may have to betray those closest to her in order to do so.

As I said, this book had me glued to it. Both timelines were absolutely spectacular, and I couldn’t tell you which one I enjoyed more. I was absolutely enchanted by all the characters in this book as they tried to navigate the perils that surrounded them. I won’t spoil anything, but in the end, it seems that even though the times change humanity really doesn’t, in that we’re all motivated by love, loyalty, and a bit of selfishness, as we look to live our lives on our terms, but who can blame anyone for that?

Add in some magic, mystery, betrayal, and some pirates and you’ve got this book. I mean, what could be better - seriously?

I think this is my favorite of Sarah Penner’s so far, and that’s really saying something since I have enjoyed all three of the books. I’ve read of hers so far I can’t say enough about this book, other than just go out and read it.

You won’t be disappointed, trust me.

I found the first third of this novel boring, but then it picked up somewhat. In one timeline, Haven is a nautical archaeologist who brings an all-woman team to pick up where her late father left off with a wreck off the Amalfi Coast. It’s possible there is treasure there, and that’s when a man comes along to kick her off her research. She doesn’t leave, however, and instead falls for a handsome Italian man who helps her dive and continue digging into the history of the shipwrecks in the area.

In 1821, Mari is a sea witch. Along with other women in her seaside community, she does her best to keep the citizens of their village safe from the villainous merchant ship owners the Mazza brothers.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES APRIL 29, 2025.

First of all, I must mention that COVER! It’s like something I’d want to frame. Absolutely stunning!
The book itself was amazing too! After reading The Lost Apothecary I knew I needed to get my hands on this one. I loved the dual storylines, but found myself especially drawn to the story of the past. Great book!

This is the first Sarah Penner book I’ve read and absolutely loved it! I found the writing to be beautiful and the chapters flowed so well. Both present and past stories were intriguing and addicting! Love the cover of this one as well.

4⭐️
This was my first book by Sarah Penner and I decided to request because I love the Amalfi Coast! It is one of my favorite places I have ever been so I had to pick this one up. This was definitely different from anything I have read before but I really enjoyed how it went back and forth from 1800s and present timelines. I loved how I never knew when the next twist was coming and how the entire story/plot line came together. This book has murder, tension, revenge, witches, magic, the sea, kidnapping, and romance!! It does a really good job of keeping the reader engaged throughout the story. This was a really great story and I will definitely be picking up Penner’s other books!!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read this book and give feedback on it! I enjoyed this book. It is a little different than what I have been reading lately but Sarah Penner did an excellent job with this one! The story goes back and forth between current times and the 1800's. It pieces the story together from the beginning and the end and works its way to the middle. I could not predict the next twist in the story even if I wanted to. There was a little romance but it wasn't the "main character" of the story. The story was more about how a young woman in the past and a young woman in the present were able to grow and mature over time. Excellent story!

Having loved my time on the Amalfi Coast, this book called to me. I've enjoyed a few of the author's other novels, and this was no exception. Sea witches from centuries ago thrive well into modern times but it's unclear how everyone is connected. Murder and revenge, dramatic tension and rivalry. The story has tons of levels, tho I struggled a bit with connecting to the characters from time to time. It comes together with some magical qualities and leaves you wanting more. Lovely balance between drama and reality, mostly falling into the ethereal and fantastical category.

I absolutely loved The Lost Apothecary. This one was nothing short of the same brilliance that Penner’s debut brought.
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Haven Ambrose, a nautical archaeologist travels to Positano in search of treasure her father told her about right before he passed away. But she must be aware of The Amalfi Curse. A curse that has plagued the coastal town of Positano for over a century. It’s a ship graveyard, but makes it a great place to hunt for treasure.
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Haven encounters some problems while she’s on her mission to uncover her father’s greatest discovery, but she also meets Enzo. A local with a dive shop who she quickly starts a relationship with. Will Haven find what she’s looking for? Or will she get more than she bargained for?
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This book has a little bit of everything. Mystery, adventure, romance, I loved it. Told through Multiple POVs and across two different timelines, Penner creates strong characters and stories you simply don’t want to put down. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Park Row for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll be recommending this one to everyone. And can’t wait for my hardcover to come in a few months when the book is published.

Treasure hunting off the coast of present day Italy, 1800s-era witches, and multiple swoon-worthy romances. I loved. It. All. 💕

Best enjoyed with an Italian coastal ambience video and limoncello spritz… This book truly felt like a trip to Positano — sunny and delicious, but steeped in centuries of history (and mystery).

The two timelines alternated beautifully, weaving together to a satisfying conclusion. I immediately added Sarah Penner’s other books to my TBR, because I want more!

Thanks to NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park for access to the ARC!

#TheAmalfiCurse #NetGalley

Sarah Penner crafts a spellbinding tale of magic, mystery, and adventure in The Amalfi Curse. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, the novel follows nautical archaeologist Haven Ambrose as she dives into a world of shipwrecks, sorcery, and a long-lost treasure.

With its lush setting, rich historical intrigue, and a touch of forbidden romance, this book is a captivating blend of myth and mystery. Penner masterfully weaves together past and present, creating a story as enchanting as the Mediterranean itself. A perfect read for fans of magical history and atmospheric thrillers!

Sarah Penner’s The Amalfi Curse is a mesmerizing blend of history, mystery, and magic, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Amalfi Coast. From the moment nautical archaeologist Haven Ambrose arrives in Positano, the novel sweeps readers into a world where the past collides with the present, and the sea holds secrets both alluring and dangerous.

Penner masterfully intertwines Haven’s personal quest for her father’s lost treasure with a deeper, more ominous mystery—the legend of an ancient sorceress who once wielded the power of the ocean. The novel’s dual timelines enrich the narrative, revealing how centuries-old magic may be tied to the strange disasters plaguing the town. As Haven navigates treacherous waters, both literal and metaphorical, the story builds a tantalizing sense of suspense.

The novel excels in atmosphere, immersing readers in the sun-drenched beauty of the Amalfi Coast while contrasting it with the eerie undercurrents of the curse. Penner’s prose is evocative, making the reader feel the salty breeze, taste the fresh citrus, and sense the ocean’s power lurking beneath the surface.

While the romance subplot adds a layer of warmth and tension, the true strength of The Amalfi Curse lies in its blend of archaeology, history, and supernatural elements. Fans of adventurous mysteries with a hint of the mystical—think The Lost Apothecary meets The Shadow of the Wind—will find themselves captivated.

A spellbinding tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of legend, The Amalfi Curse is a must-read for those who enjoy richly atmospheric storytelling with a touch of magic.