I was hooked on this book from the moment I read the premise - I just had to get my hands on an ARC! If you're in the mood for a quick read that will tug at your heartstrings, look no further. The mysterious curse surrounding the Goode family's red and white tulips will keep you on the edge of your seat, and I found myself desperately rooting for Lark to find happiness. As a high school senior herself, Lark's struggles to navigate uncertain emotions and adulthood felt deeply relatable, and I loved watching her grow and evolve throughout the story. However, I would’ve like to see more of Archer Goode and wonder what happens in his life and if he ever finds love. So… Sequel?

Some teens' lives revolve around friendships, significant others, or extracurriculars, but Lark Goode's claustrophobic life revolves around a summer tulip season.

Each year, thousands of tulips bloom in the backyard of the Goode family home, where Lark lives with her twin brother, Archer, long abandoned by their parents. The pollen seeps into their hair, their clothes, their pores. And it only has one effect: While tulip season is upon them, anyone who spends more than a few moments around Lark or Archer Goode becomes wildly infatuated with them. While Archer plays up his charms and uses the season to his advantage, Lark sees it as a curse that only seeks to isolate and destroy her.

But this year, mad season is coming for more than just the Goode twins. Someone has discovered the secret of the tulips, cutting them and sharing them around town. Suddenly, someone is falling head over heels for a “crush” they never had and Lark's peers are ripping each other apart just to hold a tulip, which radiates a feeling of true love. There's only one person who seems to be immune to the pull: A newcomer named Oak, who becomes a source of endless fascination for Lark.

The Beautiful Maddening tells a story wrapped in young love, obsession, and the layers of uncertainty that surround every human relationship.

Historically, Shea Ernshaw's novels can be a bit hit-or-miss for me. Her novels are conceptually stunning, but the execution doesn't always live up to it. Thankfully, The Beautiful Maddening takes its premise in a fascinating direction! The weakest chapter is the first, which is a bit of an info dump turned pity party for Lark, but things quickly pick up once readers see the chaos Goode tulips can cause firsthand.

Once that happens Lark becomes a captivating central character. She’s not necessarily confident, but she does have a quiet strength that radiates out in some big moments. She also has a really sweet relationship arc with Oak, who is enigmatic but so charming. Together, Lark and Oak really pulling you in. Their chemistry isn't sickly sweet, but it is very endearing, and I liked the bold steps Ernshaw took to portray a unique relationship.

At just about 300 pages, The Beautiful Maddening is a quick read. The smaller size works in favor of the book's more reflective character study, so I'm certainly not complaining. I also love that Ernshaw included little easter eggs to her previous work---They're great to see if you know them, but so subtle that they won't distract you if you don't.

Overall, The Beautiful Maddening is a soft but undeniable story that brings superstition and magic realism to the forefront. It's not my favorite novel by the author, but it was still sweet and enjoyable!

The Beautiful Maddening is a beautifully written story about a family curse and the way it affects Lark. .

This is a slower moving story, but I enjoyed it. I loved waiting and allowing the anticipation of what was going to happen build up.

I love how unique this story was. Yes a family curse can be seen in a lot of books, but the way Shea Ernshaw wrote about it made it different. She has such a lyrical prose that I really enjoyed.

My only issue is the ending, which is why I rated 4 stars. It felt a little out of character. I still enjoyed the story though.

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

Shea Ernshaw has always had a gift for crafting stories that feel like they live just on the edge of a dream—and The Beautiful Maddening might be her most intoxicating novel yet. From the moment I stepped into the world of Cutwater and met Lark Goode, I was swept up in a spellbinding mix of magic, longing, and quiet heartbreak.

The premise alone is haunting: a family curse that causes anyone who falls in love with a Goode girl to be consumed by it—irrationally, obsessively, devastatingly. Lark has grown up fearing love, believing it to be dangerous, even deadly. That inner conflict—wanting love so badly, yet believing it will destroy everyone she touches—was deeply affecting. I felt for her in a way that caught me off guard. Her loneliness, her fierce independence, and her slow unraveling as the curse starts infecting her town felt so real, even in a story draped in fantasy.

What I adore about Ernshaw’s writing is how she turns nature, setting, and silence into characters themselves. The tulips, the wind, the stillness of the town—all of it felt alive. The prose is lyrical without being overdone, every line deliberate, every detail atmospheric. The town of Cutwater feels like a living memory—ghostly, timeless, and so beautifully rendered I could almost smell the damp earth and wind through the fields.

The romance at the center of the novel is subtle, aching, and slow-burning. It doesn’t scream at you—it simmers. The boy who may be immune to the curse is not just a love interest, but a mirror to Lark’s fears and hopes. Their connection is tender and complicated in a way that makes you want to reread passages just to feel it again.

But what surprised me most was how much the story is really about agency—about how much power we give the stories we've inherited. Lark’s journey isn’t just about whether she’ll fall in love, but whether she can choose to write her own ending instead of living the one written centuries before her.

The Beautiful Maddening is haunting in the best way—quiet, magical, and emotionally resonant. It stayed with me long after I turned the last page, like a whispered spell you can’t quite shake. If you love stories that make your heart ache and your skin tingle with wonder, this is one to lose yourself in.

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw is an atmospheric story about a family curse and its effect on the latest generation and the town they live in.

Enshaw’s writing is so beautiful, almost poetic, though, I admit, it could make the story feel slightly repetitive at times. While I did really enjoy the writing, sometimes I felt like it overshadowed the plot; not much actually happened in each chapter.

That said, the concept of this story was really unique and I loved the mystery surrounding Oak. It was fun trying to figure out how he doesn’t seem to be affected by Lark’s family curse. The twists with Oak just kept coming!

I do feel a little conflicted on the lack of consent in this story. I appreciated that Lark distanced herself from others so that she wouldn’t take advantage of anyone, but her twin brother made some choices that didn’t sit well with me. The ending has me a little conflicted as well; Lark made a choice that felt out of character, to the point of regression.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed this story. It was a quick read despite the flowery writing style and I never wanted to put it down. I also I loved the subtle mentions of the town from one of her other books- The Wicked Deep!

3.5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for a NetGalley copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Beautiful Maddening is out now.

Shea Ernshaw has a very lyrical writing style; she carefully chooses every word, shrouding it in mystery and very pretty prose.

I was very excited for this book and was anticipating a 5 star read (based on my love for her previous work, especially Winterwood) but I found that this book felt a touch incomplete and almost lackluster in terms of the plot. There definitely is one, but it seems to meander in a way that seems a bit lost. I enjoyed a lot of this book and how Ernshaw plays with love versus infatuation, especially in the final chapter, but this book just isn't as strong as her previous work.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars

The Beautiful Maddening is a contemporary Gothic read that is heavy on the atmosphere. Author Shea Ernshaw expertly crafts the settings, especially the Goode house and garden. That’s where Ernshaw shines.

The idea behind the story is compelling, too. But it’s all a bit lackluster. All the pieces seem like they would work, but the pacing drags in places.

The Beautiful Maddening is an introspective read that doesn’t have a whole lot of action. It definitely won’t appeal to everyone. I suggest checking it out from the library prior to purchasing to see if it’s a good fit.

I will never look at a Tulip the same again! This book was sad and dark to me. You have a cursed family, forced never to know what true love is, a host of family issues, and a set of twins who are complete opposites. One who takes the curse and uses it to their advantage (should have a trigger warning because of this creep), and a twin that wants nothing more than to escape the shadow of their family curse and live a normal life.

I'm struggling with reviewing this one. The writing was beautiful, the world and character-building were well done, and so was the magical element, but the constant reminder that the family was cursed became annoying. Additionally, there were areas of the story that were written simply to move the plot along, as they didn't make sense to me. However, the historical twist with the love interest and the family was a good moment.

I want to continue reading more works by this author; her writing style is lovely.

Thank you to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, and Shea Ernshaw for the advance reader's copy (ARC) of this book.

I am leaving this book review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book 😊. I liked the premise of this one and found this interesting but I didn’t love this book. I didn’t connect with the characters, and I wasn’t satisfied by the ending. I thought this was an interesting plot and liked some of the execution. I just needed a more convincing romance and the characters to be a little more developed.

When The Beautiful Maddening follows the story of a family that planted tulips brought over from the Tulip Madness, and you are in Amsterdam while reading… it makes for a different reading experience.

This story is a slow build, following one twin who is determined to escape the Goode family curse. The story is a slow build, and the layers are deeper than they might appear. I ended up liking it more than I thought I would and found it deeper than expected.

I can always depend on Shea Ernshaw to build an incredibly atmospheric novel—her books are gothic and drenched in foreboding and full of complicated characters.

Ernshaw’s newest book, The Beautiful Maddening, fits right into the stack of Ernshaw’s previous YA novels on my (virtual) shelf. The story of Lark Goode and a family curse and the boy who—maybe—can break it captured my imagination.

Lark and her twin brother live alone in a crumbling house on a creek in the very small town of Cutwater. Every year, when their tulips bloom, the curse that began with their ancestor flares to life, and they become irresistible until the tulips die again.

For Lark’s brother, this yearly ritual seems uncomplicated: he can revel in the attention, get what he can out of the situation, and then move back to his normal, attractive-but-resistible state.

Lark feels differently. She’s desperate to get her high school diploma and then to leave Cutwater, to wrest free from the tulips and the curse that has plagued the love stories of every one of her Goode ancestors. This year, her senior year, the tulips bloom with one week left of school, so Lark steels herself to make it through the laser focus of her classmates so that she can graduate and then escape.

And then two things change. First, some of the other students seem to have fallen under the tulips’ curse: they are just as enticing as Lark. And, second, there’s a new boy at school . . . and he’s not falling for her.

Ernshaw weaves this story patiently, adding layer after layer of family history, town lore, and mystery. While I didn’t always love the tulips, I was captivated by Lark’s attempts to define her own identity, doing her best to resist the fate that everyone—her parents, her brother, her town—insist is inescapable.

Magical tulips, a haunting family curse, and a gothic romantasy vibe that completely pulled me in—this YA magical realism story was an atmospheric page-turner I couldn’t put down. 💫 The writing was lush and lyrical, with just the right amount of whimsy and darkness. The town, the history, the secrets—it all felt so alive and mysterious, like stepping into a dream you’re not sure you want to leave. I loved how the magical elements were subtly built into the fabric of the story, never overwhelming but always present. There’s a sense of tension and heartbreak that slowly unfolds, and the layers of lies and secrets kept me flipping pages late into the night.

💔 Heartbreak
🖤 Lies & secrets
🌒 Young love
🌿 A beautifully eerie setting
🔥 One f-bomb, otherwise a clean read!

The romance felt tender and raw, and the emotional stakes were so well done. I especially appreciated how the characters were flawed but deeply human—it made everything feel so real, even with the magical touches. The pacing was perfect, and the final twist? 🤯🤯🤯 Still reeling. If you love a fast, immersive read with that signature Shea Ernshaw touch—this one’s for you. I really enjoyed it! 💕

A family curse. Magical tulips. And a girl just trying to find something real in a world full of illusions.

The Beautiful Maddening is a young adult fantasy that feels like a mix of soft magic, gothic vibes, and an emotional coming-of-age story. Every spring, Lark Goode’s family garden blooms with enchanted tulips—and with them comes the curse. Anyone who breathes in their scent falls in love with someone from the Goode family. But is it real love, or just the magic?

Lark is over it. She’s tired of people being obsessed with her and never knowing if the feelings are actually true. She’s been counting down the days until graduation so she can leave her weird, cursed town behind. But then she meets Oak—a quiet, mysterious boy who doesn’t fall under the tulips’ spell. He sees her for who she really is… or at least, she hopes so.

This book was such a vibe. I loved the idea of a love curse—it made Lark’s emotional struggle so real. She wants to protect people but also desperately wants to find love that’s genuine. Her story felt raw and honest.

And Lark + Oak?? Ughhh yes. I loved their slow connection, the secrets, the soft moments. Their story pulled me in, and the ending was chef’s kiss—emotional, magical, and beautiful.

If you love YA fantasy with curses, romance, and small-town magic—you’ll eat this one up. Highly recommend!

Thanks to SimonTeen and NetGalley for this ARC.

I wish I would have liked this a bit more since she does write very well and I love how it is always moody and descriptive! Unfortunately, the writing for this one was on par with the others in that way but the plot was just not as intriguing as I would have hoped.

Some of it did feel repetitive and I just didn't feel a connection to the characters either and that always hurts my experience as well. The ending was a bit lackluster and I wish there would have been a better payoff.

Overall, this still had good qualities to it but I just needed a bit more from it.

Thank you @simonteen #partner for the gifted copies of this book!

One of my most anticipated reads of the year, and let me tell you — I screamed when I got my grubby little hands on it. Ever since I read A History of Wild Places, I’ve been firmly planted in the Shea Ernshaw fan club, and the second I heard this one involved a love curse and tulips?? Say less.

I was completely entranced by this storyline. A generational curse where tulips on one eerie, isolated property cause people to fall hopelessly in love — and our main girl Lark wants absolutely nothing to do with it. She’s ready to pack her bags and hit the road... until she meets the one boy who seems immune to it all. 👀 Naturally, she sticks around. And what follows? Mind. Blown. That ending nearly finished me off. I am 99% sure I gasped audibly.

Shea’s writing is like poetry — lyrical, dreamy, and a little dark. She has this way of pulling you in, and I swear I could practically feel myself slipping into the tulip trance. I devoured this one on audio while pairing it with the physical book, and it made for such an immersive experience.

Forever a Shea Ernshaw fan. I will read, eat, sleep, and breathe anything she writes. This one drops this week, so consider this your official excuse to sprint to your nearest bookstore. 🌷✨

A book review by Angie P

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. They provided me with a free copy. I love you a bushel and a peck!

In "The Beautiful Maddening," Shea Ernshaw delivers another enchanting narrative that delves into the perilous blend of love and magic. The story centers around seventeen-year-old Lark Goode. She grapples with her family's age-old curse of enchanted tulips. These tulips compel anyone to fall hopelessly in love with those of Goode lineage. Lark longs to break free from her small-town life in Cutwater and the oppressive legacy that shadows her family.

Read full review on my blog!

The Beautiful Maddening is a heartbreaking story about love and the pain and uncertainty it causes. This truly was the perfect love story and these stories are usually not my cup of tea but Shea Ernshaw delivers her stories with such beauty it was still a hard book to put down. I loved Lark and Oak and their love story filled with uncertainty and the madness of the Goode family tulips. As much as I would have loved to see more of the magic that the author presents in her other books, the lack of magic works well with this story. It's heartbreaking, it's bittersweet and it's definitely a coming of age story. Shea Ernshaw writes with such imagery that I felt like I was seeing the story through Lark's eyes.

A family's love curse that blooms when their enchanted tulips bloom every year takes a turn when one girl has had enough of her curse and plans for escape... only she meets the one boy who might be unaffected by her curse... and who might be the one person she's falling for but is it real or just another part of her curse? Lark Goode is sick and tired of her family curse of people being in love with her only because of the tulips that grow in her family garden that cause people to fall for anyone in her family. Lark longs to escape her town the moment graduation comes... but then she meets a boy who is unaffected by her curse, a mysterious boy who is hiding so many secrets yet there is an undeniable connection between them... yet can Lark trust it to be real love or is it just her family curse? Oh this was an absolutely gorgeous read. I loved the whole idea of the curse and the way it can twist and turn your own trust and mind. I adored Lark and how she was so afraid of hurting people but also wanting a love for herself. I loved the ending so much and I just adored the romance between Lark and Oak. The twist and turns of this book kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't get enough! I highly highly recommend this one!!

Release Date: June 3, 2025

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

*Thanks Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

"The warm spring wind plays against the tall grass behind him, and I watch his eyes, looking for any sign of love, for any hint that he's starting to tumble down a dark rabbit hole of madness."

This is one of the many reasons why Shea Ernshaw has become an auto buy author for me. Her writing is one that takes me by the hand and whispers "Come. Follow me on this journey. Let's get lost in this character's mind." The Beautiful Maddening is a slow, quiet, introspective novel. Though great for spring and summer, it lends itself well for any time of year you may simply wish to slow down for.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy!!!

Like all of Ernshaw's past offerings, The Beautiful Maddening sparkles with evocative atmosphere.

Readers follow a cursed Lark Goode, a young woman who's life is shaped by an ancestral curse. Each year when the tulips on her homestead bloom, so does a maddening that sweeps the area, making Lark and her Brother irresistible to the townsfolk. As lark pines to move away from her complicated life she meets a man who is seemingly unaffected by the curse. This man might change everything but the curse has never been easy and it's complications crescendo as Lark starts to fall in love.

Personally I come to this authors works for the atmosphere and beautiful prose and each of those are delivered in spades. The plot itself felt a bit repetitive and youthful. I think that Larks youthful and naive approach to love is completely plausible for someone who's lived her life, though.