This story as a whole did not work for me.

I don't think the modern day Beauty and the beast, social media, magical storyline went together. There was so much going on throughout the whole book that I felt lost and confused at what the author was trying to really say.

I also don't think the dark romance aspect was done well. Dark romance is more than just whips and chains. It's still a connection, and that connection was just not there.

This book was a little off the beaten path for Rebecca but it was a fantastic book! Thorn was an interesting character...dark and maybe just a bit crazy due to his illness. He is the driving force behind the media company trying to drive Aquarius under. Alana is the face behind Aquarius.

After a failed assassination attempt and a successful kidnapping, Alana finds herself at the mercy of Thorn. He loves her, in his own twisted way, and he believes that Alana is his. Over the course of time she finds herself having feelings for Thorn, and not all bad feelings. Is she falling in love with this man? Does she enjoy his brand of love? These are questions that will be answered when you read this amazing story.

There are many twists and turns in this book and there is a big surprise that unfolds as the book comes to an end. I promise you, this book will grab you and not let go until the very end.

If you enjoy reading darker romance, you are going to love this book! I sure did! I'm ready for book 2 now!

Thank you Kensington for gifting me with an ARC to read and review!

Absolutely loved this modern retelling of beauty and the beast. If you are looking for a fantasy, dark romance, murder mystery, with a dash of magical elements, this is for you! The chemistry between Alana and Thorn is beautiful and so so spicy. Thorn has the protective “mine” vibe to Alana, but treats her like a princess when taking care of her. Alana is spunky and bratty and challenges Thorn when he orders her to do something. Absolutely loved this!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the copy of this arc!

There was a LOT going on in this book. Essentially, it a a beauty & the beast retelling, but I say that some what loosely & in a good way.I don't like going into a book knowing that its based on a specific fairytale.

I think I would have enjoyed more in learning about the way that the crystals played such a crucial part in the book. I feel like there needed to be more information on why they were so important & what they actually did.

The plot twist was one I did not expect at all though & I thought it was wild.

Overall, the book did hold my attention, but I felt like it was a bit choppy in places & I just wanted more from it.

Thank you to Netgalley & Kensington Books for this e-ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

One Cursed Rose is a dark romance with hints of fantasy that will probably trigger certain readers. With a spice level rivaling a ghost pepper, Thorn and Alana’s story ventures into some submission and punishment territory. The top four social media platforms are run by gems ( the history is a little light on this in the story). Alana’s job is to bring in viewers and charge the gems that the platform needs to run. Trailing the other three platforms, Alana’s father has plans to join with one of the other families with Alana as the unwilling sacrificial bride to a womanizing playboy. Thorn obsesses over Alana from afar. The bad boy from Malice Media tries to stay out of the limelight, charge his crystals, and run the mafia while secretly protecting Alana until the day he can claim her. A botched murder attempt later, Alana finds herself kidnapped and held at Thorn’s home. The heat between the two sky rockets as the captive becomes a willing lover but time is short for Thorn. A virus has infected Thorn and his garnets, now Alana nana Thorn are in a race against the clock and the bad guys to win their HEA. This story is a very different kind of story for this author but still a compelling read. Very steamy and pretty dark, the story is not for the faint of heart and is definitely a page turning, new take on Beauty and the Beast. My voluntary, unbiased and non mandatory review is based upon a free review copy from NetGalley.

Clever and magical twist on Beauty and the Beast, like none other out there! Crystals, magic, betrayals, obsessions, and weaving through it all some simmering spice. Well done!

Alana Beaumont is a social media influencer and Silicon Valley princess. Her family owns Aquarius Social, one of the four most powerful social media companies in the country. Alana spends her time shopping, partying, and encouraging her followers to “explode-star” and share her video emotes for Aquarius. She’s also grieving her older brother’s death, trying to dodge an arranged marriage that her father hopes will save the company, and trying (but failing) to convince herself that she is unaffected by being the object of Thorn Beathach’s obsession.

Thorn Beathach is the owner of Malice Media, the most powerful of the four social media companies that secretly funnel human energy into magic via crystals. Each of the four exclusive families utilize this monopolized magic to benefit themselves in wealth and longevity. To describe Thorn? Reclusive, mysterious, uncompromising, dominating, vicious, murderous, and psychopathic are some words that come to mind.

Being kidnapped by Thorn should be so wrong for Alana, but she shockingly feels safer with him than anyone has a right to feel. Rebecca Zanetti should be known as “The Chemist” because she writes instant chemistry so well. Alana’s wit and altruism melts Thorn’s frigid heart. How appropriate, since he has also fallen under a curse that is slowly freezing him bit by bit until it kills him. I savoured every interaction between our beauty and her beast, from banter to kinky sex and every panty-wetting spank in between.

I truly love this Beauty and the Beast retelling. For some reason I picture Robert Pattinson’s The Batman as Thorn Beathach, except more bulked up based on his written description. I think Alana would describe him as hot, hot, and hot, the freezing curse notwithstanding.

Have a harder time with the human energy channeled through crystals concept, but as Alana’s father himself states: “We spend hours upon hours disseminating misinformation about crystal energy and its restorative power. It has taken the four families centuries to convince the public that magic does not exist.” So, I guess my skepticism is proof that their diversion tactics have been working!

Treat this as a fairy tale (a dark and dirty fairy tale), not rocket science and you should be fine!

I have read both the Beta and ARC versions of this book and enjoyed it even better with repeat reading.

Anyone who pays attention to my reading habits knows that Rebecca Zanetti is an author I HAVE to read. No joke. Anything she writes, I want it. Hearing about a dark romance from one of my favourite authors? You know I had to get my hands on it. So here's what I liked:

➤ Beauty and the Beast... twisted and screwed.
➤ rivals to lovers plot. You know it's going to be hot when their relationship starts off with animosity, defiance, and misunderstandings.
➤ Thorn's a stalker. Watching his prey's every move, but never really getting to know her... until he kidnaps her!
➤ a stunning AND smart heroine. Alana was so much more than she seemed and I enjoyed watching her embrace her power.
➤ the fantastical elements with the gems. I still don't really understand the power that these stones have, but I'm very interested in learning more.
➤ the bond that grew between our protagonists. It may have been a tad unorthodox, especially with the way Thorn courted Alana, but it was entertaining.

My only issue with this story — aside from the missing information about the gems, their power, and how and why they're relied upon — was the fact that I was promised a dark romance and this wasn't it. Aside from the kidnapping, the captivity, the killing of people (by Thorn), and the mystery surrounding some other deaths, there wasn't anything really dark. It was more suspenseful than anything else. It did read differently than anything I've read from this author before. I had to remind myself a time or two about who actually wrote this story because the tone felt very new.

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys suspense with a splash of the supernatural in their love stories.

I completely loved this book! It was a captivating and intriguing retelling of Beauty and the Beast, which is my absolute favorite fairy tale. It is set in a modern world of social media empires and power struggles, this book follows the story of Alana, the sole heiress of Aquarius Social, and Thorn Beathach, the ruthless leader of a rival media company. Alana, despite her name meaning beauty, is a complex and strong-willed character, who refuses to be married off to a stranger for the sake of business. Her determination to change her fate leads her to a dangerous encounter with an assassin and an unexpected rescue by Thorn, also known as the Beast.
Thorn was an excellent modern and unique version of the Beast. He is not just a physically intimidating character but also a powerful and calculating businessman. As the story unfolds, we get to see the layers beneath his tough exterior and understand the reasons behind his iron rule of not letting anyone see his face.
The really enjoyed the chemistry between Alana and Thorn. Their banter and push-and-pull dynamic make for an entertaining and steamy read. Alana's strength and wit challenge Thorn's control and slowly break down his defenses, making the reader root for their blossoming romance. It has all the elements of a great romance. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a unique and captivating love story.

This is a book that does not disappoint! A different twist than the normal stories by Rebecca.
Thorn has been watching Alana for a while now. He wants her and she’s not aware if it until he takes action.
What she is also unaware of is the danger he is in but will not tell her.
There is more going on with her life like the death of her brother and being placed on the board of her fathers social media company. A company that the four families use gems and “star explosions” to gain energy to run the company.
Lots of twists and turns and keeps you interested.

This was an amazing take on Beauty and the Beast. It was a little confusing at the beginning, but as it kept going it became very clear. You will absolutely fall in love with Thorn and his complete devotion to Alana. Alana is a fireball who is the only one able to tame Thorn. There are some curveballs in it that make the story even better. I truly hope that the next book will be about Justice. I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unleashing chaos, magic, and a touch of stalking in this thrilling Beauty and the Beast remix! Alana's got sass, Thorn's got a stalking hobby, and their chemistry is hotter than a dragon's breath. Imagine a world where billionaires play Monopoly with magic crystals, and you've got 'Grimm Bargains.' It's a dark romance, but hold your horses – more suspenseful than your grandma's knitting club meeting! Gems, power plays, and a library that could make Belle jealous. So, buckle up for a wild ride of love, revenge, and hungry moat fish. Note: May induce addiction to spicy spankings and mysterious deaths.

This one was very hot and dark! I loved it.
Thorn has Alana in his sites and will do anything to protect and have her. But will he live long enough to accomplish either?
This was very well written and I loved Alana’s spunk. The sparks between those two were off the chart.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this.

Reading the new series from Rebecca Zanetti, I felt slightly unprepared for what this book/series was about. With social media being a huge part of our world, Rebecca made me stop and think, what if this is true, those running social media rule the world and their family crystals, jewels are what not only keep their platforms alive, but maybe even them. While we can read this as a fairy tale, I looked deeper into its meaning and although I felt slightly unsure at the beginning, as understanding dawned, I fell in love with not only the story, but the characters also. Ms. Zanetti gave Alana and Thorn just the right amount of boldness, tenacity, and love to bring down those trying to end not only Thorn but all those who stood in their way. I can’t wait to see what the author brings to us next in the series.

ONE CURSED ROSE by Rebecca Zanetti

SUMMARY
Knowledge wields immense influence, and those with the reins can lead lives akin to gods. In "ONE CURSED ROSE," four families live near god-like existences as they command the social media universe. Through their ever-evolving technological breakthroughs, these families have harnessed the power of likes, tweets, and influencer content not only as social currency but also as tools to prolong their lives and amass unimaginable wealth. Each of their networks is powered by crystals that can only be charged by a select member of the ruling family.

Alana Beaumont is the sole heir to Aquarius Social, one of the top four companies that dominate the social media landscape. Winning the engagement sweepstakes on social media is a cutthroat business and staying on top can lead to murder. For Alana, the stakes are already high, but when a kidnapping plot goes awry, she realizes how much she has to lose.

Maurice Beaumont, Alana’s father has decided to consolidate power by creating a merger via marriage with one of the other families. But Thorn Beathach, the owner of Malice Media and the Beast whose social media empire is threatening to take Aquarius down has other plans for Alana. He’s the richest, most ruthless of them all, he protects his realm with an iron rule: no one sees his face. When he shows himself to me, I know he’ll never let me go.

THOUGHTS
ONE CURSED ROSE is the first novel in Rebecca Zanetti’s Grimm Bargain Series. It’s a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The narrative has only a passing resemblance to the original aside from some subtle allusions to the scarred ‘hero’ and the essential allure of the ‘beauty’.

Thorn Beathach, the beast is a dominating and demanding force keeping those around him at an emotional distance while still inspiring fierce loyalty. His penchant for remorseless killing is a defining trait, with his sole vulnerability seemingly the unrelenting fixation on Beauty, i.e. Alana. She is his ‘savior’ although he fully expects the curse at the center of the novel to consume him.

Alana, the epitome of modern beauty, navigates her life as an Instagram influencer, exuding intelligence, snark, and the facade of social media perfection. Unbeknownst to nearly everyone in her world, Alana leads a covert life as a philanthropist, channeling funds to support shelters for domestic abuse survivors. Beneath her publicly glamorous life, Alana is a ‘beauty’ with a heart for justice, a quality crucial in her interactions with the brutal Thorn.

ONE CURSED ROSE incorporates all the expected elements of 'dark romances,' including a dominant male protagonist, S&M-style encounters, and violence-laden scenarios, yet it falls short in portraying a genuine romantic connection. The absence of authentic romance is a difficult obstacle to overcome as it leaves the story without a heart.

Despite Thorn’s repeated declarations of ownership and his obsession with Alana, the story lacks a palpable sense of romance between them. While Alana is undeniably drawn to Thorn and experiences a blend of attraction, fascination, and occasional fear, the sporadic instances of kindness and concern from him seem insufficient to justify her sudden love. And without a genuine sense of romance between the lead characters the novel never quite connects.

Although ONE CURSED ROSE marks the first novel in a new series, it struggles from an excess of plot lines, some of which are introduced and then dropped altogether. For example, Alana and her friends are anonymously supporting several charitable retreats to shelter abused women and children but their motivations are never explained or explored. Similarly, Thorn actively combats child sex abusers, a pursuit seemingly at odds with his persona, and stated disdain for humanity. After taking pains to portray Thorn’s coldness and apathy, it's challenging to reconcile his heroic deeds with his emotional coldness.

RECOMMENDATION
ONE CURSED ROSE strikes a darker tone than many of Rebecca Zanetti's previous works. While it’s an intriguing shift, it’s likely not a series that I’ll revisit.
RATING: 3 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal

Delicious take on Beauty and the Beast. Alana is spirited and Thorn is perfectly enigmatic and morally gray. A fresh spin on a classic with a healthy dose of sex positivity.

One Cursed Rose (Grimm Bargains #1) by Rebecca Zanetti
This is a DARK romance with shades of Beauty and The Beast - but very graphic. Thorn and Alana have a love/hate relationship that grows over time. He is very harsh and bossy and she is both repelled and attracted to him. The sex is rough and extreme and he is obsessed with her. There is angst, suspense, extreme punishments, death, deceit, mystery, some laughs lots of tears, redemption, and love that get us to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Scary Tear-jerker Informative Twisted Haunting Happily Ever After Action-packed Entertaining Steamy Page-turner Tragic Wonderful characters Witty Romantic Unpredictable Whimsical.

I should have heeded the warnings- my fault. The book was too dark and the ‘romance’ too steamy for my liking. It was a interesting take on a classic tale, but one that made me uncomfortable.

Wowzers. When they said dark romance they meant DARK romance! I was wholly unprepared for the knife scene. Other than that I enjoyed this story and loved that it still had the classic Zanetti humor and witty dialogue. I hope we get books on Justice and Ella and the rest of the crew!

🥀 enemies to lovers
🥀 forced proximity
🥀 murder mystery
🥀 dark romance

It was interesting to read a modern spin on Beauty and The Beast. The story was compelling and I enjoyed the romance a lot. Thorn was a great character, his morally grey personality and the possessive 'mine' vibe he had going on, were perfect for a modern beast. The side plosts were entertaining, theyvbrought a lot of depth to the story. I really enjoyed not knowing who the villan was until the very end.

Saying all that, I struggled with the concept of crystals, coding and social media. Like I got the idea behind it, but the concept itself just didn't work for me. I also missed the connection between the story and the title. I think One Cursed Crystal would have been more appropriate, as other than Thorn sending roses to Alana a few times, and his mom liking yellow roses, there was no mention of them in the story.