“Sometimes the answers aren’t in the water, but out of it.”

This was an entertaining story of a group of women from the past with inherited power to manipulate the ocean, and a woman with the technology of today and the knowledge of a nautical archaeologist. The mystery of shipwrecks and what they revealed was fascinating, but combined with the story of the women from long ago who may have had a part in creating some of the wrecks, made for a story that was very hard to put down. There was definitely something going on in Positano, and Ms. Penner’s creative imagination and the ability to take me away to a place, and another time, is always a reminder of why I love books!!

I’m so happy to have had the chance to read this Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy of The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner; thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ Park Row.

I always enjoy reading books by Sarah Penner. Amalfi Curse tells the story of magic and legends of stregheria. Certain women can harness the the ocean. Haven searches for her father’s sunken treasure that he had discovered before he died. She begins to discover the the tales of The Amalfi Curse the has sunk many ships all the while trying to find the treasure. With a little romance thrown in.

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row, and Sarah Penner for the ARC for my review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with the digital ARC of The Amalfi Curse.

If I'm being completely honest, I was extremely hesitant to request The Amalfi Curse. I absolutely loved The Lost Apothecary, but The London Seance Society did absolutely nothing for me. Given my love for Apothecary, I bit the bullet and requested Amalfi as I hoped it would help right the ship so to speak for me in regards to Penner. It did - for the most part!

Haven Ambrose is in Positano, Italy to conduct explorations of the many shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. A diver since a very young age, her quest is for more than just the artifacts buried beneath the astounding blue waters. Her father, a renowned diver himself, has recently and suddenly passed away, leaving her with the parting task of rediscovering a trove of literal treasure that he spotted on his final dive. Once Haven arrives in Positano, misadventure plagues her at every turn - weather, rip currents, threatening volcanic activity, the works.

It wouldn't be a Penner novel without having a dual timeline, so we also meet Mari. Mari is the young leader of the Streghe in Positano. Italian for "witches", the stregheria of the area have been working for centuries to keep the Amalfi coast safe - hence all the shipwrecks. Mari is torn between her desire to leave Positano and be with the man she loves and her responsibility to the land and her brethren.

The genre of Penner's novels is hard to pin down absolutely - it's a little bit fantasy/magical realism, a lotta bit historical fiction, some romance, and some suspense all thrown in. Sometimes that mix of genres feels like you're throwing spaghetti at the wall and praying something sticks, but in this case (unlike in "Seance") it works. This also is atmospheric AF - again, something that WORKS here, but sadly didn't (for me) in "Seance".

I did feel like the story got bogged down/dragged in the middle third, which kept me from giving this four stars.

I really enjoyed this book!

The setting will transport you straight to Italys coast. . It was so easy to visual. The story goes from the present time and also the 1800s. I didn’t have any issue following along.

This will be a perfect summer read!

I had a BLAST reading this book and the cover is beautiful to boot!

This is a dual timeline mystery fantasy featuring the legend of the Streghe (Italian sea witches) in the Amalfi region. We also get a beautiful blend of romance that strengthens the story but in no way overshadows it.

Part of the book is set in historical 1800's and we follow the story of Mari, the young leader of the Streghe. Mari is caught between her desires to leave the area with the man she loves and staying to help keep her people safe from pirate invaders. Her story is full of pain, loss, fear and the unfair burden of duty.

The other timeline is set in modern time Positano and we follow a young woman, Haven, as she attempts to make her mark as a nautical archaeologist by investigating the legendary shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. This mission has dual purpose for her though, as she is also trying to fulfill her late father's guest to find a trove of priceless gemstones he had spotted in his final dive. Haven's journey is complicated by secrets, betrayals, odd natural phenomenon's and an unexpected romance with a local shop owner. This relationship opens the door for Haven to begin to uncover strange secrets about the woman in this region and like a dog with a bone - she is unable to give up until she uncovers the truth.

I loved how the stories converged by the end with the past and present being so intertwined. The plot was engaging, the characters had great depth, the pacing was fantastic with a beautiful mix of action, tension, mystery and romance. Overall, this was a fantastic standalone and I was captured within the first chapter!

I adored this tale of witchcraft and mystery, with a touch of romance. Obviously I fell in love with this and since I’d enjoyed the author’s previous work, I had to read it. I’m so glad it delivered!

This genre of books is always hard for me to pin down, but I did some reading and I’m going to slot this as intrusive fantasy. That means the real, ordinary world experiences an intrusion of some fantasy element that creates or affects the primary conflicts. I hadn’t heard this term before, but I like it! I’ve read a lot of books like this, which I hesitate to label as fantasy, since they feel more grounded in reality with a touch of fantasy. It also doesn’t seem like magical realism, which usually feels more dramatic and hyperbolic to me.

I’d recommend this book to anyone wanting a strong female protagonist, fictional witch history, and a love story. Also if you just want a gorgeous cover on your bookshelf.

This was an amazing story - magical elements as welll as historical fiction! I loved the setting of the Amalfi Coast as well!

Did you read The Lost Apothecary even though it isn't your usual genre, and find yourself surprised by how much you enjoyed it? That book taught about the genre of magical realism, and how much I enjoy Sarah Penner's writing. This book is no exception and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher and net galley for this free arc in exchange for my honest review.

🌊 “They were streghe del mare-sea witches — with unparalleled power over the ocean. They boasted a magic found nowhere else in the world, a result of their lineage, having descended from the sirens who once inhabited the tiny Li Galli islets nearby.”
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⚓️ The Amalfi Curse follows two women- a nautical archeologist named Haven in the present day, and Mari, a sea witch, in 1821 in the small village of Positano on the Amalfi Coast. I enjoyed both timelines equally and enjoyed how they seamlessly tied together in the end.
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✍️ Part historical fiction, magical realism, mystery, romance, adventure, this book was a win for me. I loved The Lost Apothecary by this author, but this one might be my favorite of hers! This genre bending novel will appeal to a wide range of readers and will make an excellent book club pick.
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For fans of:
🍋 Mediterranean setting
👯‍♀️ Dual timelines
🔮 Ancient Magic
💪🏼 Strong FMCs
💌 Love letters
❤️‍🔥 Forbidden love
💎 Sunken treasure
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🍋The book is fast-paced, gripping, and atmospheric. The descriptions of Positano transport the reader to the Italian coast, and the search for hidden treasure heightens the adventure. This is a must add to your summer TBR. And check out the Barnes and noble SE, because the edges and design are absolutely perfect 👌🏼.
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💎Thank you so much @htp_hive and @htpbooks @sarah_penner_author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! The Amalfi Curse publishes 4/29/25 so go grab yourself a copy today!

📖 Book Review: The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner

Description:
Told across two timelines (present day and the 1800s) The Amalfi Curse is a hauntingly atmospheric story about magic, legacy, and long-buried secrets. The story follows Haven, a nautical archaeologist determined to protect her father’s legacy as she heads to Positano to investigate a mysterious shipwreck off the Amalfi Coast. But what begins as a professional mission quickly turns personal when she stumbles upon clues that point to an ancient curse… and a hidden history of witches.

My Thoughts:
This book had such a compelling premise-witchcraft, dual timelines, a shipwreck mystery, and a stunning Italian backdrop. The setting completely swept me away (seriously, someone take me to the Amalfi Coast already!). I loved the eerie and magical atmosphere, especially how the past and present gradually intertwined. While the beginning was a bit slow and required some patience, I was glad I stuck with it. Once the story picked up, the intrigue and drama kept me turning the pages.

Genre:
Historical Fantasy / Magical Realism

Age Range:
Adult

Favorite Quote:
“Magic always leaves behind a ripple, even if the sea tries to hide it.”

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a chance to read this book in-exchange for an honest review.

I will post my review on Tuesday, May 13th

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row books and Sarah Penner for an eARC of this book! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.

I loved The Amalfi Curse! It brought me back to the same vibes as The Lost Apothecary, so if you loved that then you’ll love this one! I love that Sarah Penner’s books are more historical fiction with some fantasy elements added in without it being a full on fantasy book (which I love but sometimes that’s just not the mood). I also love the flip between a modern timeline and one a few hundred years ago; as much as I love world war 1 and 2 historical fictions set up like that, it’s so refreshing to have historical fiction set in another time period.

I have been to Positano and while it was over a decade ago, Sarah’s writing made me feel like I was right back there! Especially with the vibrant colors in that region of Italy! I didn’t scuba dive while there but come from a family of divers and loved that part of the story and diving was used to research ship wrecks in the area.

Also loved the romance in the timelines as well of course; it was just enough romance while it not taking over the whole book! This book was the perfect blend of historical fiction, magical realism/fantasy elements, and romance!

To me this book started out kind of slow. I didn't have a hard time putting it down. It was good. It was very interesting. There are a couple of stories going on and finding how they relate was interesting. For the most part I was lost for a while. When it did pick up though I enjoyed it immensely.

This story is about sunken treasure. Witchcraft. Love. Family. It has a bit going on. Haven Ambrose is a nautical archaeologist who is working along the Amalfi Coast. To me she was a bit weak and not at all as strong as she should have been. I liked her but wish she had been written as a stronger female.

When she is replaced on a job she gets upset but when called back she goes for it like nothing ever happened. I thought she should have put up more of a fight in the first place but definitely should have gave them a hard time about coming back. And her dad's so called friend, Conrad... What a loser. I didn't like him at all. I did love Enzo though. He was the guy who stole Haven's heart. A love story there. This part is told in the present.

Mari is a Strega. That is a witch but seems to be more powerful. She could control the waters where the ships sailed. If they got to close she would make it so they had to leave. Mari met and feel for Holmes. I liked them both. They had a strong love.

This story is told from three POVs. Two timelines. From 1821 in Mari's and Holmes' life and the present from Haven't pov. It was a very interesting story but I can't say that I loved it. It was ok but not breathtaking. It had beautiful scenes. The descriptions make it sound gorgeous. I'm sure it is.

I enjoyed this story but still was not blown away by it. Not like I love a book to make me feel.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

OK THIS DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! I was obsessed with The Lost Apothecary, and while I wanted to love The London Séance Society, it just didn’t hit the same.

ENTER: THE AMALFI COAST.
Okurrrrrr this story grabbed me from the first page and did not let go. Nautical archaeologist Haven Ambrose heads to sunny Positano to investigate mysterious shipwrecks - but she’s secretly searching for a hidden cache of gemstones her father spotted before his death. When disasters start hitting the town, Haven uncovers a tale of ancient witchcraft, a long-lost treasure, and a powerful sea magic called stregheria. To stop the curse threatening to destroy the Amalfi Coast, she must unlock the secrets of the past … before it’s too late.

This book was like nothing I’ve read before. Mysterious, magical, a teensy bit spicy, and set in one of the most beautiful places on earth. The vibes? Immaculate. The characters? Loved. And the setting? I need to book a one-way ticket to Positano and solve an undersea mystery immediately.

4.5 big, sparkly, cursed stars for this one!

The Amalfi Curse came out April 29.
Thank you NetGalley and @parkrow for the ARC and for making me avoid all my responsibilities to binge this.

Wow, Sarah Penner has woven an incredible tale within The Amalfi Curse and I found myself eager to dive in! While this was certainly outside of my typical books I go for, I truly enjoyed this read and would recommend it to anyone looking for a taste of historical fantasy.

dual timeline stories - Haven and her love interest Enzo in modern day Amalfi Coast, and in 1821, Strega Mari, and her love, Holmes. In 1821, Mari and the other Strega in her village of Positano, are casting spells to keep pirates away from their shores. Unbeknownst to them, a stranger has spotted them, and reported them to the Mazza brothers - unscrupulous merchants who would use the Strega to their advantage. In modern times, Haven is heading up a diving project that once was her father's dream - when her father died suddenly from a stroke, she picked up his mantle and forged ahead, determined to find the lost ships of Positano, and a treasure. Both storylines have a traitor in their midst - It took me awhile to get interested, but the second half of the book flew by. 3.5 stars.

Haven is leading an archaeological dive off the Amalfi Coast to fulfill a promise to her father, to go back to his last dive. When his friend gets her and her team removed from the project, she cannot seem to stay away from the area, wanting to better understand the supposed "Amalfi Curse." The reader also flips to some of the stregheria of Positano hundreds of years before. This is a fascinating journey through history.

I loved every part of this read. It was impossible to put down. It would be a great book club read as I think it would create a lot of rich discussion.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row, and Net Galley, All opinions are my own.

The synopsis for this one really intrigued me especially the location and the (marine) archeological premise. The format of this story is the same with the author's other books--One historical timeline and a modern timeline that have some sort of relationship. I usually prefer the historical timeline of her books to the modern ones but this once surprised me. Both timeline were intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat. I will say the only thing I didn't love about this book was still in the modern timeline with the love side story which could have been written differently---it just felt very rushed and underdeveloped in the story especially compared to the historical romance. Overall, I will pick up more from this author.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 rounded up to 4

The story was engaging and I enjoyed the multiple POV and alternating timelines. The author intertwined the stories flawlessly but I felt that it built up to the main event and then all of a sudden it was the epilogue

Would still recommend to historical fiction fans and fans of this authors books.

I’ve loved Sarah’s first two novels, but The Amalfi Curse truly takes the cake. The dual timelines - one in the present day and one in the 1800s - were so beautifully woven together, and each story held its own weight and intrigue. I especially admired Haven’s maturity, how she stayed true to herself, and her belief in playing the long game (and in the power of karma) as it added real depth to her character. The romance had me hooked: Holmes was everything you wanted him to be for Mari, and the chemistry between Haven and Enzo brought just the right amount of spice.

This book was like a bag of chips…you open it, and suddenly you’ve devoured the whole thing. I couldn’t put it down. On top of all that, it painted such a vivid picture of southern Italy that I now have Amalfi at the top of my travel list. I even found myself looking up scuba diving certification near me today, needless to say this book sucked me in!

Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction, romance, and immersive storytelling.

I liked both narratives, but I didn’t feel the romance or attraction between any of the main characters. I also felt like a few things were resolved too easily.