The Amalfi Curse is a perfect beach read for this summer if you’re looking for something that steps a bit away from the romance genre. While there definitely is a background of romance, there’s so much more to this story! Magic, curses, a treasure hunting adventure, and dual timelines, all along the magical Amalfi coast… what could be better?

In The Amalfi Curse, Haven is a nautical archeologist that has traveled to Positano to study the mysterious ship wrecks that plague the area. Unbeknownst to her team, she’s also there to look for some treasure that her late father said he discovered in the region. Along the way she uncovers a centuries old tale of sorceresses, specifically their leader Mari, that could harness the power of the ocean to protect their beachside town.

I really enjoyed this story! It was a relatively quick read, with an engaging plot, and characters that I loved reading about. The mystery and adventure in both timelines of the story kept me turning the pages. I couldn’t wait to see how everything turned out! I loved the background of the Amalfi Coast, too. If it wasn’t already at the very top of my travel bucket list, this book would have pushed it up there!

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

4.5 stars — i’ve truly enjoyed sarah penner’s previous novels and the amalfi curse was just as enjoyable and captivating! i think it’s safe to say she’s an autobuy author for me. the amalfi curse follows three different povs — two set in the 1800s, and one set in modern day italy, and penner writes each character strongly and distinctly.

i also listened to the audio, and it added to the overall experience!

Publishing and Sarah Penner for this ARC copy. The follow will be my honest review.

<b> The Amalfi Curse </b> by Sarah Penner | ★★☆☆☆
This had all the elements I usually enjoy — a lush Italian backdrop, a hint of magic, a mix of history and mystery — but for me it didn’t quite come together. The dual timeline felt fragmented, and I found it hard to stay invested in the characters or the romance. It’s a beautifully conceived story, just not one that worked for me.

This book was a classic Sarah Penner, enough modern story-telling mixed with magic to have me hooked. I LOVED Mari's story and wanted maybe a bit more of her actual love story instead of being told about it in the past. However, I started to be intrigued and rooting for Haven to find out the story and history of Mari. I wanted to like Haven's love story but it just fell flat for me. 3.5 stars.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nothing makes you want to hop on a plane and head to Italy’s Amalfi Coast like a story of a lost treasure in a shipwreck and a group of witches that would protect Positano from raiders. Told in a dual timeline, it is the story of one of these women, Mari, in 1821 trying with the others to keep Positano safe from a the raiding and thieving Mazzo Brothers. Then in 2025, it’s the story of Haven, a marine archaeologist who is trying to build her name and reputation as a female in a male dominated industry and finish what her father had started by following some clues to a lost treasure.

And my favorite part…the Amalfi antipasti recipes at the end. I am going to give them a try!

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Maybe I should stay away from any books with magical realism because I don't like them. No fault of the book, but I just can't buy the story.

“The greatest treasure to be found is love”

Told in dual timelines, the 1820’s and present day, The Amalfi Curse follows a group of women who are “sea witches” descended from ancient sirens, who are dedicated to protecting their little coastal village from looters and pirates. In the present day timeline, an archeologist named Haven is on a quest to find the long lost treasures and shipwrecks that the Tyrrhenian Sea holds.

After losing her father after dive in Positano, Haven returns to the dive site to follow through on her father’s exploration. But before her archeological dive project can even begin, a luxury yacht sinks suddenly, and sea conditions threaten the dive, and the company backing the project cancels. Haven refuses to give up on her father’s quest, so she beings to research the area, the history, the myths and lore of the ancient Amalfi Curse. When she finds a log of one of the sailors from the 1820’s, she discovers so much more than buried treasure.

Short review: If you liked any of the author's previous works, this will probably do it for you as well. I actually think this one was better than The Lost Apothecary due to the unique setting of the small Italian town of Positano in the 1800s and in present day. The author does an excellent job managing the dual POV - they are very well balanced, though I did feel myself more drawn toward the present day setting than the past.

This is a really unique blend of genres, maybe I would call it a historical fantasy? But it could also appeal to mystery readers, and there is a bit of romance in there as well (light spice). You also might like this if you are interested in treasure hunting, witchcraft, or pirates. This would be the perfect book to read on vacation - high stakes, but not toooo high.

Saskia Maarleveld is the main narrator of the audio and she does a fabulous job as always.

Thank you to Park Row for a free advanced reader copy

A beautiful dual timeline story full of magic, treasure hunting, and love. I enjoyed this book very much. Sea witches? Say no more. Also the love story in this had my heart melting.

This was such an adventurous read! Told in two different timelines, each story held a unique excitement that then wove together into one overarching story. I loved the witchcraft of the past timeline and learning about the stregheria of Italian lore. The romance between Mari and Holmes was so touching and just the right amount for this type of book. It did not overshadow the greater plot but still felt valuable. And the suspense brought on by the feud with the Mazza brothers kept me reading.

The present timeline is where the adventure came in, and I was all about it! Haven's job as a nautical archaeologist, diving into the depths of the ocean in search of shipwrecks, was so captivating and definitely reinvigorated my desire to get scuba certified! Haven's passion was palpable, and the mystery of her father's secret discovery had me on the edge of my seat. The tension was almost unbearable!

The two stories came together really well. Some of the motivations and explanations of characters' behavior in the present story was a little weak in my opinion, but it wasn't enough to detract from the story as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.

Magical realism is one of my favorite subgenres (or is it its own genre now??) and this book checked every box for me. It's dual timeline, dual POV (well actually three POV because Holmes has chapters too), historical, romantic, mysterious, magical....all of the things.

Haven is a nautical archaeologist investigating shipwrecks off the Amalfi Coast, specifically where her father took his last dives before his stroke and death. She thinks there's something to be found but she's not sure what.

Flashbacks go to the other timelines of the early 1800s with Mari and her group of streghe, who use their powers to control the waters around Positano to keep it safe and to keep their economy up. Sailers and other nearby villages call it the Amalfi curse - all the vessels that get redirected, and the strange way Positano is never effected by weather, pirates, etc.

The two stories tie together perfectly and I loved every second of the story.

The best part? I read it in a pirate themed cabin on our vacation. It was absolute perfection.

A spectacular blend of historical fiction and fantasy, The Amalfi Curse had one of the most stunning settings I have read in a long time! The back and forth letters were fun and the characters were so entrancing! An absolute must-read!

THE AMALFI CURSE is a tale of blooming love, both in the past and present, set on the picturesque southwestern coast of Italy. Sarah Penner crafted a tale that seamlessly blends nautical archaeology with ancient sorcery while weaving a dual timeline that explores both the present-day search for sunken treasure and the haunting legacy of a 19th-century sea witch.

In the present day, Haven Ambrose is a nautical archaeologist who’s chasing an old shipwreck that her father discovered right before he unexpectedly died. Armed with an entire team to help explore and document the shipwrecks for the next year, her lucrative funding is pulled right out from under her-by her late father’s colleague, no less–and she has to pivot to stay on the hunt for the treasure. Searching through archives to figure out what the name of this sunken ship was, Haven uncovers a seemingly tragic love story in the form of a sailor’s journal. Holmes’ journal documents his travels, but also his forbidden love story with Mari, one of a group of a seawitches that protect their town from tragedy brought on by the sea and those sailing upon it.

Haven starts on a love story of her own with Italian dive shop owner named Enzo. Told in two timelines, Haven and Mari’s stories are woven in and out, revealing more of Mari’s struggle to protect her family and friends when a set of dangerous brothers want to take the seawitches and use them for their own profit. Haven and Mari are such strong women that stand up for themselves and those they love, and the men that love them are supportive of them in so many ways.

With its evocative setting, compelling characters, and a touch of the supernatural, The Amalfi Curse gave an enthralling journey through the depths of the Amalfi Coast—both literal and figurative. Positano was a character in its own right, both in the present day and 19th century timelines. I listened to the audiobook on Spotify Premium, and all the voice actors did an excellent job in immersing me in the story right from the start. If you enjoy magical realism, dual timelines, or just strong women at the forefront, this entertaining book is for you. This was my first book by Sarah Penner, and I’d love to read her novels in the future.

Thanks @htpbooks and @htp_hive for this incredible book promo box and the gifted copy! Swipe for the full unboxing!!

Thoughts:
Witchy, yes. Atmospheric, absolutely. Transporting? 1000%.

This one takes us to the sun-soaked cliffs of Italy with a story steeped in family secrets, ancient curses, and a hint of magic. Told across dual timelines, this one follows two fiercely determined women trying to steer their own ships while navigating long-buried truths, personal relationships (amore aplenty), expectations (familial & self-imposed), and obligations.
⁣
Penner’s writing is lush and vivid—I could practically feel the coastal breeze and taste the limoncello. And while the story does feature witchy representation (yay!), I so wish we had gotten more of it. Give me more spells, more rituals, more dark feminine energy! 🧿⁣
⁣
Still, if enjoy layered timelines, strong female leads, and a setting that sweeps you away, this one is worth the read. It’s a moody, mysterious escape with just enough magic to keep you turning the pages. ⁣Fans of her previous work won’t be disappointed!

I loved the Lost Apothecary, Sarah has a unique way of telling these stories that include such intricate details. You can tell she spends time with not only her writing but the research she does for her stories. The dual time line was a struggle for me. Having a timeline that is deeper and more established is something I connect with more and get less lost. I was surprised that some of the character I wanted to know more or be involved more were short lived and did not get the air time I thought they should have gotten.

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner is a treasure! Read this for a reel (pun intended) good time!

It navigates two timelines, one set in the 1800s and one current day.

Haven Ambrose is a nautical archaeologist looking for her big career break mapping shipwrecks that have overlayed on top of each other using software with a team of 5 women along the Amalfi Coast, where shipwrecks were aplenty centuries ago. It also happens to be were her fathers last dive was when he thought he spotted some potential treasure.

Her search research leads her to local stories about legends of stregheria, sea witches. Does her science minded brain cast off these as urban legends or does her research and eyes make her believe the unbelievable?

Come along as she unfolds the story of Mari, a powerful streghe, and her love story with Holmes and all the unfortunate events that happen along the Amalfi coast in the 1800s. This love story had me (ship) wrecked and reeling!

I personally love scavenger and treasure hunts, so this really resonated with me. And a story of witchcraft added in along the Amalfi Coast made it feel magical. Needless to say, this book has me hooked.

The sprayed edges was a bonus treasure map.

Thanks @NetGalley and @HarlequinTradePublishing for the Advanced Digital Copy (I also bought the sprayed edges!)

Thank you to NetGalley and to Park Row for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Sarah Penner continues to be an author that absolutely blows me away - how she manages to include so much and yet keep it from feeling overwhelming - AND she does this in 315 or so pages? Absolutely incredible job. Her writing is gorgeous, and the style in which she writes blows my mind.

This is a perfect read for lovers of magical realism (witches!!), forbidden romance, and some breathtaking Italian settings. There are themes of family and friendship both and there are multiple POV's with a dual timeline. It's an easy read that is for sure worth it!

I loved the time periods for this book, but I have to say that it moved slowly for me at the beginning. The language was a bit confusing as well. I expected something that moved a little faster. All in all, I enjoyed it. Strong characters (especially women) in true Sarah Penner fashion.

Thank you to Park Row books for the early E Galley copy of this book. I was also able to attend a pre-launch book party at a local Barnes & Noble, where Sarah Penner was talking about her new book. This book is told in a dual timeline and to be honest, I loved the backstory the historical look the 1800 story of Mari and Her love interest and her family. She is part of a group of women they are sea witches and they help control the waters and everything off of the coast of Positano Italy. It’s a beautiful setting. The descriptions are just breathtaking. In current times we meet Haven who is on a job a diving expedition job now in Positano and she is seeking out a sunken treasure or sunken ship and there’s a lot going on with people not wanting her to find this and her father had been a explorer and so we’re learning all about her reasons for being in Italy. The story was excellent. The research that Sarah did was amazing. I really enjoyed all of the Rich story of the sea and Italy. The love stories between both Mari and her sailor and Haven and Enzo made the book even more delicious a solid four stars pick this new one up.

The mix of historical interest and romance along with believable dialogue and adventure makes this book a win. Sarah Penner has a way of adding little nuggets of factual fun in her fiction that make things seem so much more real. I like the emotions that are all tied up in this story. This is a great summer read, and would make a lovely beach read.