Book review 📖

📜The Amalfi Curse
✍️Sarah Penner
📠Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row
📚Historical Fiction
🗓️Pub date: April 29, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨Thank you @NetGalley and @parkrowbooks for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Also, thank you to @sarah_penner_author for this remarkable read and bringing the Amalfi Coast to life!

✨ Sorting through mysterious shipwrecks off the Amalfi Coast and the azure seas of Positano, nautical archaeologist, Haven Ambrose, finds more than she anticipated.

✨Trying to finish what her late father hadn’t had the opportunity to find, Haven is determined to see what lies beneath the deep blue abyss of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Flurries of old myths circle the village, a myth that seems nearly impossible until witnessing it firsthand.

✨Jumping back in time, Mari and her sea-witch sisters place a curse on the sea, funneling it so as to prevent pirates from sieging their land, looting their goods, and taking their women. However, her curse is not foolproof and she soon realizes she’s figuratively drowning in her thwarted attempts.

✨ I absolutely love the vibrant scenery of The Amalfi Coast in this fabulous book. Having been there myself, it is on point and as stunning as I remember.
Penner has a knack for gorgeous and unmatched prose, and I couldn’t put this down. I loved the alternating narratives between Mari and Haven, learning about ship wreckages, pirates, treasure hunting, and the cursed Italian sea-side. This is one to pick up and devour—best served alongside a chilled glass of limoncello! Salute!🍸🍋

#netgalley #theamalficurse #sarahpenner #parkrowbooks #harlequintradepublishing #advancedreadercopy #arc #bookreview #bookstagrammer #springreleases #historicalfiction #magicalrealism

I absolutely squealed when I got this ARC (thank you NetGalley!)
The Lost Apothecary was my first 5 star read of 2025, and then I got approved for this one, too?! Loved it!
5 stars!

Penner writes wonderful historical fantasy, however juxtaposed against her sloppy contemporary storyline I was left bored and frustrated. The two storylines develop at different paces, creating a crisis of intensity—ending one storyline on a high to come crashing back down to mundane exposition. With too many sub plots in both timelines, the reader cannot dive deeply into any characters, further creating disinterest in the story. This book would have been marvelous if we had focused just on Mari’s timeline and were able to spend pages diving deeper into her and the witches as characters rather than the dual timeline that felt half as deep. The Italian was inconsistent with translations provided for single words already in the public English-speaking consciousness, only then to have entire phrases in Italian with no translation. It felt like the kid who just got back from studying abroad and wants everyone around them to know they were in Italy once.
I worry that with the success of The Lost Apothecary that Penner’s novels will continue to rely on this stunted formula, rather than trying something new and diving into one storyline in a world she can truly open up for her readers. My final thoughts on this dual timeline book: don’t half ass two things when you could whole-ass one.
I will not be posting a review on social media as my thoughts are fairly negative and I do not want to dissuade readers who might enjoy this book regardless of what I view as its flaws.

Sarah Penner is the best. This third book took a little bit to get into, but then I was completely engrossed. Haven is a nautical/underwater archaeologist who is about to make what she is hoping the find of a life. Her team of all women was going to do a study off the Amalfi coast, when her deceased father’s friend takes over the study and dive because of all the seismic activity. Haven thinks the real reason is he found out about the possible treasure and is noteworthy interested yhat than the actual archaeological record. In making her own way to the site to dive, Haven meets Enzo, a cute Italian who owns a dive and boat shop.

Meanwhile, back in 1821, a group of women, witches, protect Positano from pirates by harnessing the ocean. Mari, the leader of the witches, desperately wants away from the village to be with her beau who is a sailor. But there is more to worry about when people are kidnapped from the village after finding out the secret of the witches.

Both stories are intriguing and I loved the main point of the end of the story.

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner is a unique, dual timeline novel that explores the Amalfi coast and a legend of a curse on the waters.

The way the story flowed from the past timeline to present flowed very well and each look at the past gave the reader a glimpse into why things were happening the way in the present. Haven is a strong, determined FMC who is trying to continue her father's work after his passing on a dive project in Italy. She encounters many barriers and roadblocks but does not get derailed. I really liked Enzo as a character and love interest, and hoped we would see more of him! The past timeline with Mari and Holmes was tragic but hopeful and it was very cool to see how that one played out.

The reveals in the latter half of the book were so well done and when you pick up where the timelines crossed it was amazing! Sarah Penner has obviously done a ton of research for this novel and it shows. It was historically rich and descriptive.

The Amalfi Curse is a very intriguing, interesting historical fantasy you should absolutely read.

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced review copy.

Another powerful, gorgeously written book by Sarah Penner! Powerful women. Witchcraft. And a treasure hunt. That's all you need to know going in!

Since I have visited the beautiful Almalfi coast and the lovely city of Positano, this book was especially appealing to me, and introduced me to endeavors about which I had never thought. Haven Ambrose is a nautical archeologist who travels to Positano for a work excursion that also includes a more personal quest. Alternating with her story is a historical narrative of a young woman that lived in the area 200 years earlier. I've read two other books by Sarah Penner, and enjoy her mix of historical with modern fiction. This book is lightly supernatural. Although she includes a bit of romance, there is nothing graphic.

I loved this book. It was so well written and I loved the use of powerful female characters. I love Positano and this book captured it so beautifully. It’s not only a wonderfully beautiful place, but it’s filled with tales of tragedy, archaeology, and passionate stories passed down through generations. This book enchanted me and made one of my favorite vacation spots come to life!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

There’s something about the ocean that feels both magical and dangerous, and The Amalfi Curse captures that feeling perfectly. Sarah Penner delivers a spellbinding mix of adventure, history, and witchcraft, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Amalfi Coast. From the moment I started reading, I felt completely transported—like I could hear the waves crashing and taste the salt in the air.

Haven Ambrose is an easy protagonist to root for. As a nautical archaeologist, she’s brilliant and determined, but her quest for her father’s lost treasure adds an emotional depth that made me even more invested. I loved how the story blended real-world archaeology with the legend of stregheria, an ancient form of sea magic. The supernatural elements never feel over-the-top—they’re woven in so naturally that they enhance the mystery rather than overshadow it.

The pacing is solid, keeping the tension high without dragging, and the romance is subtle but well done. The chemistry feels organic, adding warmth to an otherwise eerie and suspenseful story. My only minor critique is that a few of the twists were a little predictable, but honestly, the journey was so immersive that I didn’t mind.

This book is everything I love—history, mystery, magic, and the vast, untamed power of the ocean. The Amalfi Curse is an enchanting, atmospheric read that will stay with me for a long time. If you love books that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world, this one is absolutely worth the dive.

Within the first few pages you will find yourself emerged in the scenery Penner describes. The salty water and the sand stuck between your toes.
I loved the first 10% and then the story became tedious. The storyline was drawn out and slightly boring at some points. There are two separate storylines to follow and the one in present day just didn’t work for me. The main protagonist Haven made some comments and had some views about the locals that were off putting. Who cheers for gentrification? Anyway, the story goes on and the last 25% of the book finally ties it all back together. Not a bad read, but I believe this could have been a short story and less drawn out. There are a lot of details unexplored and dismissed, that should have been addressed instead of some of the unnecessary back and forth between the timelines.

Overall, a decent read with a beautiful scenery. Thank you to #HTP #HarlequinTradePublishing and #NetGalley for allowing me to review this book!

Wow wow wow, I love Penner’s other books but this is by far my favorite. It followes the witches who protect the Amalfi coast and then in another timeline a female archaeologist who is searching for treasure. The multiple timelines propels this book as a quick and compelling read. I haven’t read much historical fantasy but this is now a favorite genre!

Underwater archeology, sunken treasure, Amalfi coast, strega incantations, good guys, bad guys, a little romance-what more could you want in a book! You are taken on a dual timeline journey where Haven is looking for ancient shipwrecks off the Amalfi coast in the present and in the past, you learn about the strega (witches) who protect the coast and the people who depend on the water for a living. The timelines are carefully crafted to connect by the end of the book where I found myself having numerous 'ah-ha' moments when I finally saw the connections.
Haven is a young, smart, and intuitive person who perseveres to find solutions to the problems she encounters, such as being let go from the dive project and figuring out how to keep working on the project anyway. Mari lived in Positano in the 1820s and she and her strega sisters protected the town and waters with their magic and incantations. Things go awry when the the Mazza brothers kidnap a little girl and Mari will stop at nothing to bring her back to her parents. There is a little romance between Haven and a local dive shop owner, Enzo, and his mother lives in a villa in the hills of the town. Haven and Enzo's mother develop a connection.
Having visited the Amalfi Coast and Positano myself, I feel the author created a detailed setting that brings you into the town. The characters are well developed where you cheer for most of them and despise the Mazza brothers. The book was mostly historical fiction and I felt the magical realism added to the story to give it a different perspective.
If you are looking for a lighter historical fiction that is compelling and engaging, I would highly recommend this book!

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review will be posted to Goodreads, Bookbub, Twitter today. Review will be posted to Barnes and Noble and Amazon when published. Posts about the book will be posted to Insta and Facebook groups between now and pub date.

Wow! What a book! Sarah Penner’s books keeps getting better and better! This is my favorite of her three books so far! The Amalfi Curse is everything that makes a book great for me: suspense, romance, magical realism, great character development, and dual timelines. I could not put this one down! I would be interested to know how Ms. Penner came up with such a unique story line for her latest novel. This book receives all the stars from me!

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

Sarah Penner is a prolific writer who knows who to draw the reader in and hold their attention! I enjoyed the dual timeline and the descriptive writing. Her first book still remains my favorite but this one is also excellent! A huge thank you to Park Row Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC.

Before I say anything, can we take a moment to appreciate this cover?! So so beautiful!!! I may or may not already ordered a physical copy.
Now this book had a little bit of a slow start for me, but once I was in it, I finished the second half in a day! This is a dual timeline novel that takes place on the Amafli Coast in Italy. Haven is a researcher who is on a project/looking for her late father’s discovery of hidden treasure before she is pulled from the project to be replaced by her father’s best friend. Wanting to find her father’s discovery before him, she teams up with local dive shop owner, who she happens to fall in love with at first sight.
This story is told along side the story of forbidden lovers Mari and Holmes. Mari has magic powers to command the sea, but wants nothing to do with it. Holmes is a deck hand for the evil Mazza brothers, who promises to be her escape and the unexpected love of her life.
Both of these stories were so intriguing, and it was so exciting to see how the past intertwined with the present as the story progressed.
This was such a fun read for me! An easy 5⭐️!

"The Amalfi Curse" is a bewitching blend of family drama and historical intrigue that will sweep you off your feet. The dual timeline structure keeps you on your toes, seamlessly weaving between Mari's deep connection to the sea and Haven's determined quest to continue her father's groundbreaking discovery.

I found myself completely invested in both storylines. Mari's journey is fraught with danger and mystery, while Haven's path is tinged with loneliness and her constant fight for control in a male-dominated workspace. The love stories woven throughout act as a soothing balm, softening the tension and adding depth to both narratives.

Penner's talent for surprising her readers shines through with unexpected twists that shed light on the past. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another revelation would leave me gasping.

The immersive elements of this book are truly spectacular. From the heart-pounding dive into LiGalli's shipwreck to the mesmerizing scenes of the Streghe casting their spells, I felt transported to the Amalfi Coast. The way Penner intertwines the stories of women from different timelines is nothing short of masterful.

While "The Amalfi Curse" feels different from Penner's previous novels, it's no less satisfying. The poetic ending beautifully resolves both Mari and Haven's stories, leaving me with a sense of closure and wonder.

Thank you, Park Row and NetGalley, for my free book.

Thank to you HTP the Hive for the complimentary advanced copy of this novel.

I really enjoyed this sweet story and was anchored (teehee) to the novel from start to finish. Reading this felt like reconnecting with an old friends. The Amalfi Curse was exactly the kind of comfort read I didn’t know I so desperately needed rn! Bonus points for also including a fun mystery.

I loved this book just as much as I loved The Lost Apothecary. Sarah has mastered the dual timeline and adds the perfect blend of historical fiction and magical realism into her stories. The Amalfi Curse was an incredible read. I devoured it in 2 days!

Wow! This book really took me on an adventure. I felt like I was there in Positano present day learning and uncovering all of these secrets. I absolutely loved the juxtaposition of these two timelines and how the legends of old influenced the present day in this story.

As someone who’s been to Positano I felt there was so much about the setting and the culture that was so accurately depicted and having the present day story with Haven made this feel so much more real. It seemed like something that could actually happen so much so that I had to look up if Sarah Penner wasn’t actually a deep sea diver living in Italy..

The history, the legends, and the culture was just so insanely realistic and imploring it didn’t even feel like fiction. I really thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and breezed through it in one sitting which I normally don’t do!

My only note is just a personal preference as a Romantasy reader I would’ve just liked to see a bit more spice, but I also appreciate that there’s a time and a place for that and I was so glued to this book because of the epic adventure and lore that I think that might have detracted from it if anything.

I would HIGHLY recommend this one and cannot wait for the special edition!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this arc in exchange for my honest review! <3

I liked this one! The descriptions were so atmospheric that it felt like being transported to Positano, and I loved how the maritime elements added an air of mystery and adventure. The first half of the book moved a little too slowly for me. The dual POV structure was interesting, but I was more invested in one perspective than the other, which sometimes pulled me out of the story. That said, once the pace picked up in the second half, I was fully hooked and raced through the pages to see how it all ended. It had moments of brilliance, and I appreciated how transportive and unique it felt overall.