I can see and appreciate what the story was trying to get at, but unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it. I'm not exactly sure what it was, whether it was the characters, the way the story was told, or an unfortunate mixture of both. But this one just wasn't for me.

I finished this one earlier today and I’ve been trying to decide how to rate it and I’m still going back and forth between 4 and 4.5 stars 🙈 I really really loved the concept of this story and it ended very well but the journey there was so frustrating that there were points that I had to pause and do something else for a little bit. I’m not someone that minds the miscommunication trope as much as most people seem to but this was like miscommunication on top of miscommunication on top of miscommunication and it got pretty annoying. It’s one of those books that made me want to yell at the characters to just talk to each other and be honest about how you’re feeling while knowing that if I was in a situation like this, I probably wouldn’t follow my own advice 😂 so on one hand, I thought it was a very realistic way for them to handle things but I was also just annoyed lol besides that, I really loved Grant’s family, especially his aunt & uncle and I think it was a great representation of how difficult and isolating it is to grow up queer! So I’m going to go with 4 stars, just because of my frustration with Grant but I do think it’s a really great book besides that!

While not specifically a series, I would definitely recommend reading The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers before this book, as this is the continuation of Grant’s story.

I was not a fan of Grant’s when I first met him, but I don’t want to get too much into the previous book for this review. Grant’s behavior in this book still bothered me at times, I found him kind of selfish and a bit obnoxious. But I also gained a lot more insight into his character and why he acted the way he did. So while he is still not my favorite hero, I was rooting for him in the end.

On the other hand, I did like Ben throughout. Even though he hurt Grant badly in the past, he felt incredibly genuine and it was obvious that he had a good heart. I mean Ben didn’t have to work for Grant’s family, and Ben also didn’t need to come back to the US to help his dad after his cancer diagnosis.

The side characters, mostly Grant’s family, were funny and supportive. And I enjoyed the cameos from some of the characters from the previous book.

I loved the setting of the winery and the story behind the wishing rose.

All in all, this was another fun read and I look forward to the next story from this author.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through Net Galley on behalf of the publisher for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This romance was so good. I was rooting for everyone the whole time! I loved the themes of self discovery, finding your own self worth, and getting to know your true self. I loved the family and seeing them all come back together. It was a beautiful story

I got to be honest Adam Sass is one of those authors that for me I enjoy his books but none of them end up being favorites if that makes sense. This one fits right in with that for me. I think it's a great second chance queer romance book that really highlights depression respectfully and honestly but I didn't love it. I also didn't even realize it was a sequel technically to the 99 boyfriends until the actual author's note at the end. Oops. And I've read that book.

For me I just wanted more. The characters aren't bad and the setting is fun and the idea is there but none of it really grabbed my attention wholeheartedly.

Took me a while to read this amazing books because life got busy but i’m glad I took some time to read it, i loved it and loved the characters as well.

A boy cursed to never have love, and a summer spent to save his family's vineyard from financial ruin with the help of his childhood best friend turned crush turned enemy.. you can see the tropes now right?

This was a wonderful slow-burn read, with lots of vulnerable and raw scenes, very real depictions of what it's like to deal with anxiety and depression and self-loathing, and a very wholesome ending. I really liked how the MC's journey was written, and the second-chance friendship + romance was so >>>>

-- ty to the author the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

This was a sweet book. The main characters used to be best friends until an incident happened when they were 12. The main character is determined to find himself and create a new portfolio at his aunts property.
3.5 stars

beautiful little work that's definitely worth a good read or reread or re-re-re-read. sass has done it again.

Adam Sass has such a talent for writing realistic, complex, and funny queer characters. Grant, the main character of this novel suffers from depression, and he is written in a way I find to be relatable, hopeful and thoughtful. He struggles with self-image, and throughout the book we see him grow as he helps his family transform their dying vineyard and B&B into a thriving business. He flees to the vineyard after a depressive episode, and is desperate to relive fond childhood memories, but is meant with some bumps in the road when the boy that broke his heart when they were young is hired as the gardener. Watching them reconnect is sweet, and they are cute together, but I did not love their communication style (what was I expecting from teenage boys). The highlight for me in this really is the family dynamic over the romance, but it was all done well.

There are sweet messages in this for queer teens, especially ones that are struggling with mental health. I love how medication, therapy and diagnoses were discussed honestly and openly. Grant's journey is a messy, but relatable one, and I will continue to recommend Adam Sass's work to gay teens.

Review: Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts by Adam Sass - @theadamsass
Released: July 16, 2024
Rating: 5/5
Format: E-book via Netgalley & Audiobook via Spotify
Narrators: Torian Brackett
Recommended by: Instagram
The Low-Down: M/M. Young Adult. Rom-Com. First person single POV. Second chance romance. Mental health rep, including depression. Angst. Beauty and the Beast vibes.

"Lost, lonely, young queers finding their way home." - Adam Sass

If you believe in fairytales, then chances are you also believe in curses. Grant Rossi believes in both. Grant knows that he is destined for heartbreak and that his family's Wishing Rose is to blame for his curse. But that same rose is the reason his 13-year-old lost love, Ben, is playing gardener at his family's winery.

This book picks up a year after 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers and follows the love interest, Grant, from that book. I said in my review of 99 Boyfriends that I was prepared to dish out all my negative feelings toward Grant, but I am glad that I waited to review both.

Throughtout Cursed Boys, I fell head over heels for Grant. There were times I wanted to scream at him, but mostly, I just wanted to hug him and let him know that we would be okay because I have struggled with mental health in the same ways he has. Being able to see Grant from his point of view made me realize I didn't know him yet in 99 Boyfriends. The only reason I disliked what I did know then is because I saw so much of him in myself.

This book blew me away. The imagery of the winery had me feeling like I was running through a field in Italy on a breezy summer day (though the book is set in Chicago,) and the audiobook narrator perfectly portrayed these characters. Listening to the end book acknowledgments, you learn that the family home is based on the author's and how personal this book was to Adam. It showed.

For Fans of: Beauty and the Beast. What If It's Us and Here's To Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli. The movie, Letters to Juliet.

I tried reading this one but it wasn't my vibe. I was incredibly annoyed by the main character who was super moody and immature (but hey, that's being a teenager). I thought the setting and plot was interesting, but not my cup of tea at the moment. Maybe I'll pick it up in the future, but for now it's a DNF.

Big thanks to Penguin Teen and Adam Sass for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Grant Rossi is cursed. At least, he's pretty convinced that he is. He made a wish on his family's legendary Wishing Rose when he was 13 and that's when everything fell apart. Everyone else is his family is lucky in love, but not him-not the lone gay boy amid his seven Italian siblings. And now, high school is over, his gap year is coming to a close, and there is nothing for him in Chicago except another ex boyfriend and another broken heart with his designer career feeling so incredibly unobtainable. Grant is angry and he doesn't know what to do about it.

But when his family makes the suggestion to head to his aunt's struggling-almost-bankrupt winery, Grant can't see a reason not to go. Until he runs into Ben, the boy from his childhood that spearheaded his first heartbreak and the start of the curse. And to make matters worse, his Scottish nemesis is working for his aunt as her new gardener! Sparks fly, first of rage and then of romance...but with his curse looming over his head, can Grant let himself open up to Ben? Or will the curse keep him a beast forever?

This book was a messy honest queer love story. It felt a touch like Beauty and the Beast with all the roses and curses and even some really subtle theme nods-and I don't mean that in a negative way at all. This was a really wonderful second chance enemies to lovers queer romance that absolutely accomplished what it was trying to do. I was especially happy with the choice to make Grant so angry-it felt so authentic and so spot on.

Again, I'll use the word messy-love isn't always tidy and swept up in a bow, and this certainly was not that. But man, oh man, did I love this one.

Cursed boys and broken hearts by Adam Sass is a ya contemporary novel that is a standalone and I loved this one!! This was my fourth book I've read by adam and I can tell he's a new favorite author. I'm also not saying that cause I just did an author interview with Adam as well!
This is a beauty and the beast retelling with a hint of fantasy and a lot of romance happening there are tropes in here like: Second chances, one bed, and morally grey & found family as well. Which is all of my favorite tropes. I loved the storyline of grant he is a new favorite character for me. I do say I hated the betrayled that happened but it was fitting for the story and the writing was wonderful & loved the short chapters too.
Five out of five stars and I can't wait to read more from Adam Sass and thank you to penguin teen for sending me an e-arc of this one it was so cute and perfect for the summertime!!!(:

I’ve read a few books by Sass, but this one is hands down my favorite. You’ll fall in love with Grant Rossi.

After a public dumping by his ex, Grant abandons his design projects, ignores college applications, and sinks into a depression. He’s not his best self right now. The most recent breakup is just further proof he’s cursed when it comes to love – all because of what he asked of the Wishing Rose many years ago at his large Italian family’s B&B/vineyard. When his family suggests he spend the summer helping his aunt and uncle with numerous projects at the B&B to bring it back up to snuff, Grant thinks maybe it’s possible to break the curse.

It’s so easy to picture the charming B&B and vineyard – I want it to be real so I can visit. Grant’s childhood memories of the time he spent there with his siblings and cousins are so heartwarming (they’re based on the author’s own similar memories). His family interactions are messy, chaotic, loving, and entirely realistic, and I especially enjoyed his close relationship with his aunt and uncle.

Grant is an emotionally complex character, and I like the way mental health is sensitively handled without stigma. His growth throughout the story is inspirational, and his character arc is one of the best I’ve come across recently. You’ll cheer for him at every turn even as you question his decisions or frown over his actions.

The relationship between Grant and Ben is full of hills and valleys, uncomfortable truths, sweet moments, and clever banter and humor. I enjoyed every minute of it. Each of them has been holding on to anger and misunderstandings for years and finally learn communication trumps assumptions every time.

Recommended for those who enjoy reading about characters you’d want to hang out with, intrusive, but well-meaning families, and second chances.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book contain themes of mental health, romance, and LGBTQIA+ relationships, The addition of a fantasy element, specifically the curse that affects Grant's romantic relationships, adds a unique twist that was captivating.

Grant is funny and frustrating but he grows throughout the novel. His stream of consciousness is honestly hilarious. I was cackling when he said his heart was spanked.

This was not for me. I couldn’t find myself liking any of the characters. I also don’t understand why it was not made known that this is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Getting to revisit a character from another story is always fun, but revisiting the ex-lover of another story's MC is an especially unique take! While I think I've come to prefer Sass' writing in his thrillers, he really can do it all and this was still a sweet second chance romance with some painfully realistic characterization of the teenage characters.

YA is a hit or miss category for me now that I’m in my 30s, sometimes i thoroughly enjoy the genre and sometimes it’s a miss. Unfortunately this was a miss for me. Ben and Grant are great characters, I just wasn’t as gripped by the story as I have been with other recentYA reads

Adam has such talent for writing his characters. This is the 4th book I’ve read of his and I’m so impressed. I love how he is fluid in the genres that he writes in.