Underwater treasure? Sea witches? Hot Italian men? Sign me up!

This was a blast to read. I really enjoyed the journey and mystery of both timelines in this book, and the way they came together! A

fun adventure book, perfect for those that love a treasure hunt moment.

Thank you to the Hive for an early reader copy.

This book was amazing!!
I was hooked from the very beginning!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

I have read a couple of Sarah Penner's previous books and enjoyed them both, so I was happy to grab this one. From the description it sounded like a great maritime adventure in a beautiful location, and it was.

Description:
Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts beneath the azure waters; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven’s arrival, strange maelstroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. Is it nature or something more sinister at work?

As Haven searches for her father’s sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and one woman’s quest to save her lover and her village by using the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean. Could this magic be behind Positano’s latest calamities? Haven must unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever…

Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea.

My Thoughts:
This book was a fun adventure told in two time periods: Mari's story in the 1800s and Haven's story in present time. I enjoyed reading about the the magical, paranormal abilities of the stregheria and how they protected their village and the coast. Also, Haven's treasure hunt was interesting. I liked the romance between Haven and the dive shop owner, but Mari's romance was riveting. In fact I found Mari's entire story riveting. Great characters, a compelling plot and the evident research made this a really good read for me.

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row through Netgalley for an advance copy.

When Haven’s father died, he left with her his one wish. Find the treasure he had gleamed on his last dive. He always wanted to go back, but life had other ideas for him. Now Hannah is in Positano and ready to start the dive she was hired for, with a small side project of her own. Little did she know how much would be found outside the water. As she begins her research, Hannah uncovers a centuries old wives tale of witchcraft…

I love when a story is dual timeline and I am obsessed with both timelines! Plus the Amalfi coast? Yes please! I think this one requires a trip to get the perfect book photo, yes? Man do I wish! Mari was such a bad ass in this book and I loved it so much! This book had hidden treasure, witchcraft, a forbidden love story, with a bit of finding oneself mixed in. I truly despised Conrad, but I loved how Hannah became stronger throughout the book when it came to dealing with him. I seriously don’t know how Sarah managed to describe the scenery so perfectly, or fit so much story into so little book!

Thank you to @parkrowbooks for my gifted copy of this book!

Sarah Penner's The Amalfi Curse is a spellbinding journey through time, weaving together tales of love, magic, and resilience. Her ability to craft dual timelines that resonate equally is commendable. The rich historical context combined with elements of magical realism creates a narrative that's both immersive and emotionally impactful. A must-read for fans of historical fiction with a mystical twist.

The Lost Apothecary was a five star read for me, so I was excited to read Penner’s latest. I absolutely love this gorgeous eye catching cover! I enjoyed the descriptions of the ocean and Positano, and I liked the strong female main characters. Unfortunately, the pacing was a little slow for me. I didn’t ever feel compelled to keep turning pages. This also had a heavier fantasy feel than I expected, which isn’t really my thing. I appreciate the chance to review this advance copy.

This was such a wonderful read! The dual timeline with historical mystery was such a unique way of writing and really captured my attention. This was such a beautifully written book that gave me summer vibes and making me want to travel the world. It had a bit of everything as well from treasure hunting, witches (sea witch) , pirates, friendship, science, romance, etc it had a bit of everything for everyone. The dual timeline really captures your attention and leaves you wanting more and more as the story unfolds, the details all leading up together.

I will be highly recommending this and will be getting me book club to read this one. I also think the cover is stunning and will definitely be making an appearance on my shelf as a trophy because *chefs kiss* of a book right here.

I enjoy Penner’s magical historical fiction, and the characters she creates. I really enjoyed The Lost Apothecary, so couldn’t wait to dive (pun intended, you’ll see) into this book!

Alternating between 1821 and present day, Mari and Haven (respectively) were such strong, resilient FMCs. Both timelines kept me captivated, and I loved the multiple POVs throughout.

I could say a lot of things in this review, but ultimately, I really enjoyed it and would recommend reading. I loved each character, their stories, their triumphs and hardships, their motivations, and the sprinkling of magical realism. I went in blind (influenced by the gorgeous cover), and am happy I did so.

Thank you HTP The Hive for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sarah Penner always delivers a unique, entertaining and educational dual timeline historical mystery and this latest was no exception!! I loved learning more about a group of 'sea witches' living on the Italian island of Amalfi off the coast of Positano who are able to control the seas. Contrasted with a present day mystery surrounding a marine archaeologist determined to discover the treasure her deceased father was looking for. Compelling, suspenseful and full of both romance and adventure, this was FANTASTIC on audio narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Carlotta Brentan. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!! 10/10 recommend!

I was completely swept away by The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner 💫✨ Dual timelines, sea witches, sunken treasure, and a hauntingly beautiful setting on the Amalfi Coast? YES, PLEASE. This book gave me all the emotions—grief, love, wonder, and that ache you get when a story lingers long after the last page. Watching two women, centuries apart, fight for love, legacy, and their truth had me hooked. If you love historical fiction with a touch of magic and heart, run to this one!

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, NetGalley, and Sarah Penner for the ARC on this one and Happy Pub Day, 4/29/2025!

A perfect summer (or anytime) read. The breathtaking setting, which beautifully portrays the coast of Italy in both present day and past timelines, will have you dreaming or reminiscing of travelling adventures. The dual timelines weave perfectly together, and even though I am not a fan of historical fiction (usually) this author always pulls me into her past timelines and has me questioning if maybe I do enjoy historical fiction. There are pirates, buried treasure, witchcraft, science, friendship, and a little bit of romance. Somehow this book appealed to my inner child that still loves watching movies like The Princess Bride but also enjoys nerding out in museums and reading about adventure travel. Does that even make sense? lol

I also wanted to give an extra shout-out to the author for all the research and details she used to bring her women-in-science characters to life, I just can’t get enough of authentic smart women characters and I loved learning about the world of nautical archeology.

Highly recommend picking up this book.

This was one of the most unique reads I’ve ever experienced with magical realism and treasure hunting! The writing style is incredible and really transports you into the story! 5 stars no notes

This is my favorite Sarah Penner novel to date! This captured my attention from the start. I loved the combination of an incredible setting, magical realism, treasure hunting, murder, a centuries-old curse, and a love story.

The atmosphere is vividly described, transporting readers to the beautiful coast of Italy. There, we meet fantastic characters, including Haven, a nautical archaeologist researching shipwrecks, and Mari, a sea witch who can harness the power of the ocean. Both are strong and compelling female characters. The dual timelines and multiple POVs are crafted exceptionally well with themes of feminism, family, and forbidden love. I appreciated how the intertwined timelines gradually unveiled the mystery and found myself equally invested in both.

The writing is beautiful, and the story is highly imaginative. Penner really nails it with great characters, awesome world-building, and a solid plot. This truly swept me up in its magic and was such an entertaining read.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, The Hive, and Park Row Books for the gifted ARC

*4.5 rounded up

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner is a spellbinding novel that masterfully weaves powerful witchcraft, a hunt for sunken treasure, and forbidden love on the high seas. Set against the stunning backdrop of Italy's Amalfi Coast, the story follows Haven Ambrose, a pioneering nautical archaeologist, as she investigates mysterious shipwrecks and seeks a trove of priceless gemstones her late father had pursued. Her journey uncovers a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery practiced by the women of Positano, leading to a thrilling story filled with mystery, romance, and the untamed magic of the sea.
This story left me spellbound with tales of shipwrecks, secrets, and sea-witches. You will be transported to the sea-swept cliffs of Positano and meet characters you’ll never forget. The past and present were expertly intertwined, and the outcome was….well you just have to read it!
Penner has crafted a captivating tale that takes readers to the dazzling Italian coast and offers a mesmerizing blend of adventure, magic, and romance. It's a must-read for those seeking an atmospheric and enchanting story that lingers long after the final page.

Review will be posted on 4/29/25

Haven Ambrose is a nautical archaeologist whose work leads her to the beautiful Amalfi Coast in Italy. Her father, also a diver, has always told her about the gemstones he left behind at a nearby site, and since then, she has been on a quest to find them, along with the mysterious shipwrecks by Positano. Throughout history, there have been mysterious shipwrecks up and down the coast, and Haven wants some answers. Once she arrives, though, strange things start happening not to mention the even stranger things she uncovers as she delves deeper into Positano's history. Flashback to 1821, and readers meet Mari, a "sea witch" tasked with protecting her coastal town. Her historical storyline fills in the missing pieces of Haven's storyline and provides a necessary backstory to Positano's complex history. There's also some romance woven into each narrative, along with some magical realism, which makes The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner an immersive novel that her fans will thoroughly enjoy. There's also some romance woven into each narrative, along with some magical realism, which makes The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner an immersive novel that her fans will thoroughly enjoy.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction, so I thoroughly enjoyed Mari's storyline that takes readers back to early 1800s Italy. Mari faces the challenge of leading a group of women who protect the coast while also navigating her romantic issues in The Amalfi Curse. She is in love with a sailor named Holmes, who works for the notorious Mazza brothers, owners of merchant ships. Ironically, these are the very men she is trying to protect her town from. The drama intensifies as Mari is also expected to marry another man from her town, someone she does not wish to marry at all. Additionally, the plot really thickens when the Mazza brothers discover what the "sea witches" are up to.

Haven's storyline in The Amalfi Curse is particularly captivating, especially for those of us who love the ocean, diving, and artifacts. It's evident that Penner has experience in this area, as she vividly brings this aspect of the story to life as she follows her quest.

My favorite aspect of the novel was the dazzling setting of the Amalfi Coast, which Penner made readers feel like they were there. It was very atmospheric and immersive; I had visited the Amalfi Coast once before and reading this book made me want to plan a trip back immediately.

While The Lost Apothecary is still my favorite of Penner's novels, The Amalfi Curse was a solid read and perfect for the upcoming sunny days. Are you a fan of Sarah Penner? Do you plan on reading The Amalfi Curse? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Haven is searching for the treasure her dad discovered before he passed away. And this leads her to discover a historical tale about magic and controlling the ocean.

I loved these dual timelines! Talk about masterfully done! The magic and the sorcery in one timeline and the drama of buried treasure in the other! SEA WITCHES…ENOUGH SAID!

However, I did sort of struggle with connecting to the characters. And as good as Haven is, I wanted her to be a bit stronger and fight just a bit harder. And when you read this, you will understand.

Need a witchy tale full of mystery, drama and an atmospheric setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

A nautical archaeologist travels to the Amalfi Coast to study the mysterious shipwrecks said to be cursed only to find a history that ties in witch craft, forbidden romance, and her own father's sunken treasure. Haven Ambrose is a nautical archaeologist who's latest adventure has her traveling to the sun soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. Haven uncovers more than she could ever imagine when she discovers the story of Mari, a streghe, or rather a powerful witch connected to the ocean and her own love story.. a love story that involves kidnapping, fighting for a forbidden love, losing everything to the sea... and her own magic that is tied to the curse that now haunts the coast. Oh I absolutely adored this, it's a mixture of fantasy, history, and romance all set to a beautiful coastal kind of read, its the perfect beach read. It's so beautifully written and the story just has you bewitched until the very last chapter. It's such a cozy read and one I'd absolutely recommend you take with you on a picnic at the beach!

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This was so good! The setting, the lore, the heartache, the dual timelines...it was all beautifully written and immediately pulled me in. Plus, who can resist a hunt for sunken treasure? If you enjoy Hester Fox's writing, then you will love The Amalfi Curse!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for access to this arc.

Way back in March of 2021 I read The Lost Apothecary by Penner and really loved it. There were lot of those same vibes in 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐢 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞. Strong female characters, a little romance, and a lot of history. The modern day timeline was my favorite but I also really found the perspective of Mari , in the 1840s, to be quite compelling.

The Positano setting was absolutely everything and every time I picked this book up it made me wish I could hop on a plane see it all for myself. If you’ve enjoyed her previous books, I’ve no doubt you’ll enjoy this!

ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: ᴇʙᴏᴏᴋ
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 4⭐️
ᴘᴜʙ ᴅᴀʏ: ᴛᴏᴅᴀʏ!

I was unsure what to expect as this was my first Sarah Penner novel but the idea of magic and the Amalfi Coast mixed with historical fiction had me intrigued.

The author did a fantastic job of switching back and forth between the past and the present. As soon as I was ready getting into the plot of one time period she would switch it up leaving me dying to continue reading. I can’t wait to check out her other works!

Thank you to Sarah Penner and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.