I knew Amalfi Curse was going to be good just from the cover alone!

Witches, shipwrecks, sunken treasure, Italy?! Yes, please!

I really enjoyed that this book was told through dual timelines and multiple POVs. I found the present day parts the most fascinating because it was fun going along with Haven as she pieced everything together.

The past parts dragged a little for me and I actually expected a lot more diving in the present day which is why this isn’t five stars for me.

But this book was really interesting and I can’t imagine the time and research that would’ve had to go into it!

A historical mystery about witches, sunken treasure and forbidden love set on the Amalfi Coast in Penner's latest book. Told through duel timelines, we learn of a love story from years ago that supposedly has cursed the waterways of this coastal village to the finds by a local archaeology team that speaks to the history.

You'll bask in the ocean breezes as Penner transport you to Italy for an adventure riddled in magic, love and revenge.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row

The Amalfi Curse
By: Sarah Penner
Review Score: Four Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints
•Multiple POVs
•Time Jumps
•Beautiful Location: Positano
•A multi-layered story

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An ARC of The Amalfi Curse was kindly provided by Harlequin Trade Publishing. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!

I loved Penner’s book “The Lost Apothecary”, so I was SO excited to read her new book. And I am happy to say, it did not disappoint.

There are so many layers to this story. Haven’s hunt for treasure, learning about the history of the area, and how the two stories connect. All of it was so well done, and I loved seeing how it all came together in the add.

Add in some romance and a beautiful location, and you have a great book! Definitely check this one out! You won’t be sorry.

A fascinating, fast paced, treasure hunting, magical, historical fiction story! Told in multiple POV, in alternating timelines - there is so much that happens in such a short amount of time!

-Magical realism
-Archeologist/Treasure hunting
-Witches
-Forbidden Love

There are lots of twists and turns in the plot, and such amazing detail setting up a vivid and exotic plot and scenery.

Recommend for any and all readers who enjoy historical fiction, with a bit of romance, and a magical escape.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC of Sarah Penner’s latest novel. Set along the beautiful coast of Italy, this vibrant story blends historical fiction and magical realism with interesting dual timelines. The rich descriptions pull you straight into a world of ancient secrets, sea women with magical powers, and generations of mystery. I was completely captivated by the atmospheric setting and the way each thread came together. A mesmerizing, immersive read—I can't wait to see what else Sarah Penner writes in the future!

3.75 🌟

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin / Park Row Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest review

There was a lot to enjoy about this dual timeline mix of historical fiction and fantasy set in Italy. I was eager to race through and find out the resolution, especially on the past storyline.

The present storyline especially fell a bit flat for me; it may have just been too much going on in addition to the complex past storyline, but the romance and present magic felt less enchanting than the past. I also struggled with Haven’s motivations; it was clear she wasn’t a “looter” or “treasure Hunter” but I was unclear how her search for treasure was more altruistic.

This is a fun, interesting escape to Italy and a unique mix of a treasure hunt, fantasy, romance, and much more.

This is such a captivating blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and maritime adventure that transports readers to the sun-drenched cliffs of Positano, Italy. With dual timelines and richly drawn characters, Penner crafts a tale that is both enchanting and emotionally resonant.

As someone who lived in Italy and traveled to the Amalfi coast several times, I loved the cultural backdrop and vivid details of the location for such well-built characters.
In the present day, we follow Haven Ambrose, a determined nautical archaeologist who arrives in Positano to investigate mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. Her mission is deeply personal: to uncover a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. However, upon her arrival, the town is plagued by strange maelstroms and misfortunes, leading Haven to question whether these events are natural or the result of something more sinister.
Parallel to Haven's story is that of Mari DeLuca in 1821. Mari and the women of her village practice stregheria, a form of witchcraft that harnesses the power of the ocean. As their leader, Mari protects Positano but dreams of escaping with her lover, Holmes. When the nefarious Mazza brothers threaten her coven, Mari faces a harrowing choice between her people and her heart. (And I totally didn't see the twist coming!)

The themes of love, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of women are central to the narrative. Both Mari and Haven are portrayed as resilient and complex, their personal journeys reflecting broader questions about destiny, legacy, and the ties that bind us across time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for the opportunity to read this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinions!

Set in stunning Positano, Italy, nautical archaeologist Haven Ambrose is on a secret mission to recover a legendary trove of gemstones her father glimpsed before his final dive. As she explores mysterious shipwrecks off the Amalfi Coast, strange storms and eerie misfortunes plague the town. Haven uncovers a centuries-old tale of forbidden love and ocean magic—stregheria and an ancient curse—used to save a village and a doomed romance. With time running out, she must confront the truth behind the legend and her own growing feelings, before the Amalfi Curse claims everything. Mystery, magic, and romance swirl in this coastal adventure.

5 stars!

Pure entertainment!! Let me first say that this has to be one of the most beautiful book covers EVER. I may need to procure a shelf trophy purely for the beauty! It sets the most perfect scene for the story that unfolds inside. Now, for the story - this book has it all. Adventure, mystery, sunken treasure, a touch of romance, multi-generational story weaving, historical fantasy and secret magic.

There was not a single dip in pace of this story and I devoured it in just two days. I loved learning every twist and turn and was thoroughly invested in the stories of Haven, Mari and Holmes. The dual timelines - 1821 and modern day - offer a glimmering look at the streghe (sea witch) women, their powers and their effects on the waters of the Amalfi Coast. They use their powers to protect the area and their fisherman from pirate ships and travelers who take from the Positano community. But once a pair of criminal brothers - the Fratellis - discover the streghe magic, they want to harness it for themselves and their wrongdoings. There is so much to discover in these pages, you won't want to stop turning until you get to the end!

Loved this magical adventure so much - thank you to Sarah Penner, NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row for the early copy of this excellent historical fantasy!

This was an excellent historical fiction book. It made me want to travel to Italy even more. I love a dual timeline book so if that isn't your thing, then maybe skip this one. As a history fan, I thought this was incredibly well done. When Haven visits the archives to find more information, I wanted to be in those archives wandering the stacks and discovering with her. Penner has an incredible ability to weave the occult into historical fiction in a super engaging manner. Highly recommend to fans of Lost Apothecary! :)

I absolutely loved this story. The dual timelines were easy to follow-which takes a skillful writer to do it well. The story took a little long to get me hooked but I was quickly pulled in (no pun intended).
The characters were believable, fun, and described well. I loved the twist at the end! Thank you for the ARC!

This was the story I was craving and I didn’t know! First things firsts, the cover😍!! It’s just so pretty! Also the premise?! Sea witches(stregheria) that harness the ocean! Are you kidding me? I was invested from the start.
We meet Mari and her story in the 1800s trying to save her friends and family from ruthless pirates and bad people. Then Haven Ambrose, who is on mission to find a priceless shipwreck her Dad found before he died on his last dive.
The way the author weaves both stories until they come together was just 👌🏽, loved the whole sea/ocean scenery, I truly enjoyed it.

Pub Day Pick
The Amalfi Curse
@sarah_penner_author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book! And look at this @barnesandnoble edition 👀 it is absolutely gorgeous 🤩

Sarah Penner is back with a new dual timeline feminist historical fiction full of adventure. I think this is her best book yet.

In the present, Haven is determined to solve a mystery her late father leaves unfinished. There is something strange about the water around Amalfi, a site known for its turbulent waters. As Haven strikes out on her own expedition to find hidden gems beneath the sea, she gets wrapped up in a story that goes beyond treasure hunting.

150 years prior, Mari resists her pull to the ocean and her special gift of controlling the sea. Grieving her mother and sister and seeing their power as a curse, all Mari wants is a life with the man she loves.

Penner is excellent at weaving stories from the past together with stories from the present and providing twists and turns along the way. I enjoyed both timelines and found Mari particularly engaging as a character. While the romance I. The present is a bit insta love and flat, the story captures the two women’s lives and reminds us that not all treasures are material. Definitely add this to your summer TBR!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC of Sarah Penner's new book. Just like her other books, Penner weaves together multiple story lines beautifully. Every time I sat down to read the book, I felt as though I had been transported to Italy and it was a lovely feeling. The multiple mysteries kept me engaged throughout and I loved all of the points of view in the story. A wonderful read that I look forward to escaping to again and again. I would happily read anything Penner writes! She is a wonderful storyteller.

This atmospheric story sweeps you straight to the glittering cliffs of Positano, where ancient magic, hidden treasure, and deep personal loss collide. The main character, a determined nautical archaeologist, dives into far more than just shipwrecks, she’s chasing the ghost of her father, the truth behind a deadly curse, and a love that feels just out of reach. With every wave crashing against the coast, the tension builds, blending myth and mystery into a rich, immersive tale that’s hard to shake. The sea itself becomes a character, full of beauty, danger, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

What really anchors this story is the way it ties historical magic to emotional stakes. The lore of stregheria is woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding depth without overwhelming the human drama at its core. The romance is slow burning and tangled, made all the more compelling by the high stakes and supernatural interference. It’s a story about legacy, power, and the ways the past haunts the present, wrapped in lush prose and an unforgettable setting. If you love magical realism with heart, danger, and a hint of salt in the air, this one delivers.

Sarah Penner's books are pure magic! Her ability to weave historical fiction, present-day, and magical realism is unmatched. I loved the Italian setting of this book and learning about centuries-old witchcraft. It's such a great book! Thank you, NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a very fast read with lots of cool information about witchcraft and other beliefs that exist in the amalfi coast lore. I like the descriptions of the sea and the beautiful intalian landscapes. The book is well written and documented but I wasn't aware tha is mainly a romance. I was tempted by this boonce I first saw it but I thought it was a historical fiction/fantasy book. I'm not a romance reader so I cannot say if it is a good example of the genre.

I loved this! I finally took a trip to Italy last year, and visited most of the towns mentioned in this book. It was such a pleasure to revisit them in this way! I could picture the beaches at Positano and Sorrento, the Amalfi coastline, the docks at Capri, Mt. Vesuvius, and 17th century villages. What a delight it was to read the imagery in this stunning Italian setting. I also enjoyed the bits of the Italian language that were included. During my trip, I was able to use some of my incredibly elementary Italian skills, and reading The Amalfi Curse, I could understand a good amount of the phrases without having to look them up or read the translation. How cool!

I've also always been drawn to the water and beaches, and although I'm too chicken to go diving like the main characters here, it was fascinating to read about. How cool it must be to see shipwrecks and ocean life up close! The descriptions were vivid and I was completely drawn in to the archaeology aspect and underlying mystery.

The magical realism element was entertaining and captivating, and it was so fun reading the spells and witchcraft.

I'm always a sucker for dual timelines, and this was no different. Both timelines were enchanting, and just when I felt disappointed to switch back to one, I was immediately pulled in again to the other.

This is the perfect vacation or summer read! And the cover is GORGEOUS!

I loved this!! I recommend this to anyone who loved Sarah Penner's The Lost Apothecary. I love how she is able to weave in multiple timelines and POVs. In the current timeline we follow Haven Ambrose, a nautical archeologist, who arrives in Positano to search for a treasure once spotted by her late father. In the second timeline, we follow Mari, a sea witch from the early 1800s. For fans of historical fantasy and adventure, with a dash of romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for an advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review. These thoughts are my own.

Sarah Penner has a gift for writing that makes you not want to put the book down. There's just something about the way she pulls the story along that I really enjoy. This one had intersecting dual timelines and made me want to go to Positano immediately!! I will say tho - I couldn't help by think of Strega Nona the whole time!

The Amalfi Curse is an enchanting, atmospheric novel that swept me away with its vivid setting, layered storytelling, and blend of magic, mystery, and history. From the sun-drenched cliffs of modern-day Positano to the shadowy secrets of a 17th-century coastal village, Sarah Penner masterfully intertwines two timelines in a way that feels seamless and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of dual narrative where both stories are equally compelling, there’s no skimming, and no wishing to get back to one POV over another. That’s rare for me, and Penner pulls it off beautifully.

This book has everything, a lush Italian backdrop, forbidden romance, magical realism (spells, curses, and whispers of witchcraft!!), archaeological adventure, themes of sisterhood, friendship, and feminine power, all layered under a captivating treasure-hunt style mystery. The setting in particular is an absolutely amazing in my opinion, you can practically taste the limoncello and feel the salt in the air. It’s effortlessly immersive.

Haven Ambrose, the modern-day protagonist and an archaeologist, made the book especially engaging. I also studied archaeology and the ocean so I loved reading a book about it as well. Her work and the way it tied into the mystery added a fascinating and grounded angle to the more fantastical elements. I also really appreciated how Penner explored the relationship between women and power, subtly threading this theme through both timelines.

My only (minor) critique, and the reason I didn’t give it a full five stars, is that with so many characters and plot threads, I didn’t form a deep emotional connection with any one in particular. But honestly, that didn’t take away much from the reading experience because the entire story was so rich and layered. It’s worth noting the writing style is fluid and evocative without ever feeling overly ornate. Penner strikes a great balance between lyrical descriptions and snappy pacing.

If you enjoy books that balance historical intrigue with modern drama, magical realism, and a touch of romance, The Amalfi Curse absolutely delivers. It's perfect for fans of atmospheric, multi-POV fiction with a heart of gold and a bit of sea-swept magic.