Oh..my..goodness! If you didn't think you needed another retelling of a fairy tale, you are so wrong. Pick up this book. Unique world building. Dystopian-ish??? Similar to present day but a different reality. 4 ruling families fight for power. Alana and Thorn are from separate factions but Thorn has been watching Alana for some time now.

Hold on an just go along for the ride. Some major twist that I did not see coming. Loved seeing familiar characters from the author's dark protector series mentioned. I I didn't look back but is the street gang the same one that is mentioned in the Scorpius series? I notice this book says Grimm Bargains #1. That bodes well for readers. I want more! Hopefully we see Alana's friends (I would guess Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella themes) and maybe Thorns little brother?? I would love any of those.

Great start to a new fantasy series by this author!

This is an amazing dark fairytale of Beauty and the Beast. It was slow for the first two chapters and I had to wonder if this was really Rebecca Zanetti’s book. Then chapter 3 hit and I inhaled the book to the end. It definitely turned into a page turner.

Thorn is the perfect beast. Bossy, authoritative and fiercely protective. He’s an extreme alpha. Alana is by far smarter than anyone thinks. They are opposites in every way. And they were so good together.

There was quite a twist in the story and I did not see it coming. I absolutely loved this story. I raise my glass to Ms. Zanetti for a job well done. I’m hoping there are more in this line.

First of all, thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books, for providing me an ARC of this book.

Grimm Bargains series #1

Vibes:
She is mine and don't you dare touch her.
It is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and what a beast Thorn is. The beautiful Alana is a influencer that has not one mean bone in her body, very intelligent but very naive.

Theme & Plot:
There are four major Families that have the most or all power, they own media companies with different aspects on how they work. They hack they stream they try to be the most influential. Alana is top tier, Thorn is a mystery to everyone, lurks in the shadows. He has fallen in absolute love with Alana, and she has no clue, but she will soon enough. Many twits and very emotional. A bit of spice to round it off.

Writing:
It was easy to read, but not bland. The wording had me wrapped up and consumed, the description of various scenes were very visual and could spark my imagination so have pictures in my head while reading.

What I liked:
The dynamic between Thorn and Alana
The little brother of Thorn, I would love to see him more in part 2. Maybe with one of the sisters????
The break free of Alana being naive to reign her strength and stand up to be bossy and know what she wants.

What I didn't like
This book left me with so many questions!
How is it going to end with Thorns brother and maybe the sisters?
What is going to happen to Aquarius while Alana is away?
How does charging work?
And many more, I hate it when so many questions are left open.
I think the lack of knowledge of how this Media concept works what power the crystals have put me a bit off, I would like to know how this "new" world works, how can software be linked to crystals.

I will defiantly be reading part 2 of this series!

One cursed rose is a dark romance of beauty and the beast modern day retelling. Rebecca has once again done an amazing job with drawing in her audience with writing. This story is very different from her previous work but done well. There is magical elements, suspense, I’m normally not a dark romance kind of fan but Rebecca story pull me in from the beginning. The male character thorn took some getting used to since he was portrayed has “the beast “ in the story and was obsessed with Alanna but as the story move the character develops great.

One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti
Grimm Bargains series #1. Fairy tale retelling. Dark romantic suspense with paranormal / magical elements.
Alana Beaumont works at Aquarius Social using emotions to gain followers and power the network crystals. It’s a “family” business and ratings are everything.
Thorn Besthsch owns Malice Media in direct competition with Aquarius Social. He follows Alana, not only from her postings, but he’s also in the dark shadows wherever she goes. When Thorn uncovers an assassination attempt, he intervenes and kidnaps Alana himself. He considers her his now to protect, and keep. Unfortunately someone has loaded a virus to his computer systems which is freezing the garnet that powers everything. And that freezing from the inside out is having the same impact on Thorn himself.

Stalker much? No, it’s just the current trendy dark mafia romance where Thorn must dominate and protect Alana from everything including herself.
The best part for me besides the banter is Alana spending a lot of time in Thorn’s library. It’s huge and well stocked with ladders all around and comfy couches. She finds obscure books of poems, books on gems and so much more. It’s only later that Thorn realizes she can read over a half dozen different languages including his native Gaelic.
Thorn is probably considered an anti hero. He’s demanding, authoritatively harsh and dominating. Killing, or fighting or ordering those things done is just in his nature. There are pieces of humanitarian philosophy there, but it’s certainly not the reason he has hungry man-eating fish in his moat! Or how he tortures / questions others.
Additional mysteries are interwoven in the story including the death of Alana’s brother (which occurred before this book started) as well as a serial killer that seems to be stalking Alana lookalikes. Or is it just a miss from Alana herself?
Action packed and spicy hot spankings make this book breathtaking and provocative. You won’t want to put it down until the end.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. This is an author and book I will purchase all formats and more to share with avid reader friends.

Another amazing fantasy novel by the marvelous Ms. Zanetti! While a little hard to understand the underlying premise at first, once you get that there are four major social media companies that are fueled by precious gems, it all falls into place. Alana is a strong female lead for the story, and strong lead of her company, once she gains confidence and takes that control. Thorn is the epitome of his name - prickly, painful, but capable of producing beautiful things. The storyline includes some attempted murder, some kidnapping, some mild S&M, and, of course, a whole lot of action to keep you on your toes. A long time fan of her other series, I cannot wait to see where Ms. Zanetti takes this one next! I will definitely be tuning in for more!!!

Great New Series
I was intrigued by the premise of the retelling of the Beauty and the Beast. Alana is the Beauty and Thorn is the Beast. It did take me a couple chapters to understand what was going on but after that I was completely hooked. Thorn has been stalking Alana for a few months and is consumed by wanting her since he considers them to be soul mates. Even though he has "kidnapped" her from a dangerous situation and has saved her life, he wants her to want him on her own. He's not going to force her. Alana is attracted to Thorn even though she's fighting against it. Thorn wants to protect Alana even when she's away from him. There are several subplots to this story that involve Alana. The four families that are involved in this story are involved in social media and needs crystals to keep their platform going. Each one wants to control the popularity of their platform and really need each other to help them continue. I am looking forward to seeing how the next book is connected to this one.
I received an early copy from Netgalley to read. I'm leaving my honest review.

One Cursed Rose, a dark romance by Rebecca Zanetti, is A M A Z I N G!
First off, let me just say, I'm not into dark (or I didn’t think I was?), so I was worried. And it is dark. But not too dark. (Rebecca keeps you safe.)
Then, you know how when you a read favorite author and there's a common known flavor and feel to their stories, and you're like yes, I know this fictional universe, I feel at home here and know what to expect.?
One Cursed Rose is not that story.
I'm not saying that the overall Zanetti flavor isn't there. But I can say, I had moments where I forgot I was reading Rebecca Zanetti while reading Rebecca Zanetti. I was like, is this still really Rebecca?!
With this book, Rebecca has stretched herself as an author and/or grown because this story is still a Zanetti story but it's a Zanetti story on steroids. And yet, the overall feel, flavor and flow of One Cursed Rose is authentic and natural. It is AMAZING!

As far as the story goes, One Cursed Rose is loosely based on Beauty and the Beast, with elements of Batman and plenty of easter eggs.

One Cursed Rose has;
A cursed (and tortured) prince--Thorn
A smart (and independent) heroine--Alana
A castle (with a moat even!)
A magnificent library
A merry crew
kidnappings, murders, mafia and an HEA all wrapped up in an epically amazing and thoroughly captivating tale. ... And lets not forget steamy! Holy hotness Batman!
Do Not Miss Out!
I guarantee you want to read One Cursed Rose. Today!

Wow what a read!. Ok first off I love Rebecca Zanetti's writing style and all her series of books. I was so looking forward to reading her version of Beauty and the Beast. I don't know what I was expecting really but it wasn't what I read. I love how she has taken on an even darker writing aspect then her dark protector series has but there was a screen that was just a little too much for my taste. I really enjoy the book, the twists, the main characters and the secondary characters as well. I look forward to reading more in her dark world adventures.

3.5 stars rounded up because I am intrigued by this series. Fairy tale retellings are my catnip!!

Here's the good the bad and the ugly:

I am a huge RZ fan, and her books are all some of my favorites (especially Dark Protectors, Deep Ops, and Laurel Snow). While this one wasn't an instant hit for me, I feel invested enough in the side characters that I want to see where the series goes.

I am a huge fan of dark romance and fairy-tale retells, and this one had a unique twist.

I think the technical jargon and plot were hard for me to stay in the moment of the romance part (I'll get to that part soon). The AI aspect was a great way to talk about what's actually happening right now and the stance many people are taking for it or against it. I could tell a lot of research was put into this book, and I appreciate that!

Thorn was a possessive...with a capital P... hero (anti hero?), but I'm not gonna lie, I liked him. I like his honesty and how he always protected Alana.
Alana is probably my favorite character because she stayed upbeat and positive through everything she went through in her past and present. She was tough and not a pushover but also couldn't resist Thorn. I think I wanted a bit more romance between them while she was at his castle, but that's on me and my expectations.

Rebecca definitely delivers on the dark romance, so be aware and don't judge a book because you, the reader, don't understand the genre.
If you pick up a dark romance, expect there to be typical themes such as rough play, spanking, getting tied up, etc.

This book is a bit of a slow read, there are times while reading that I get so hooked that I don’t wanna put it down and then there are times when I don’t wanna read this book anymore, it does have a nice plot but it is also similar to the other dark romance novel I’ve read like predator or hideaway…there are times when I felt like it’s a copy of other novels. The author emphasised a lot on the romance part of the novel and little on the actual plot and twist. Overall it’s a 3 star because the fantasy part of this novel was pretty new and interesting.

I loved this retelling of my favorite fairy tale. The characters are captivating and intriguing. It encompasses a contemporary time frame with a touch futuristic. Readers will enjoy this spicy romance.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"One Cursed Rose" by Rebecca Zanetti is a tantalizing dark romance that presents a modern twist on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. Aimed at fans of Scarlett St. Clair and Sarah J. Maas, this novel is the first in a series set in a world where control over information equates to immense power. The story follows Alana, the sole heir to Aquarius Social, a media giant under threat from a rival empire, and Thorn Beathach, the enigmatic and powerful head of that rival empire.

Zanetti's storytelling is seductive and engrossing, creating a rich and complex world where media empires hold sway like ancient kingdoms. The character of Alana is well-crafted, embodying strength, intelligence, and a depth that defies her outward beauty. Her determination to change her fate and avoid an arranged marriage adds a layer of intrigue and defiance to her character.

Thorn Beathach, the Beast of the story, is a character shrouded in mystery and allure. His iron rule over his realm and the condition that no one sees his face add to his enigmatic presence. The dynamic between Alana and Thorn is electric, filled with tension, passion, and a power play that evolves throughout the narrative.

The novel excels in its blend of romance and fantasy, with elements of darkness that add depth and intensity to the story. The theme of power, both in the realm of media empires and personal relationships, is explored with a compelling balance of danger and desire.

However, readers who prefer traditional romance or lighter fantasy may find the novel's darker and more erotic elements challenging. The story delves into themes of control, power dynamics, and forbidden desires, which might not appeal to all audiences.

Content warnings for themes of dark romance, power dynamics, and sexual content are appropriate. "One Cursed Rose" will appeal most to readers who enjoy dark, seductive romance with a fantasy twist, particularly those who appreciate modern reinterpretations of classic fairy tales.

In conclusion, "One Cursed Rose" by Rebecca Zanetti is a captivating and darkly romantic novel that offers a unique and sensual take on Beauty and the Beast. Its combination of compelling characters, an intriguing plot, and a richly imagined world makes it a must-read for fans of the genre.

A new take on a old favorite fairy-tale favorite, but in a delectable naughty and wicked way. The beginning of the story confused me at first then I got the hang of it and how it worked with today's social media. Alana is charming and exactly what you want in a "beauty" and when Thorn makes his appearance he does it in a major way that definitely sets himself up for the "beast" of this story. Once I started to get the hang of the story I didn't want to put it down. Loved it and the main characters family and friends that were in the story. Kinda hoping that we would see more and how some of their story will play out.

This was a Deliciously Dark retelling of a modern-day Beauty and the Beast, and I loved every minute of it. There is a magical aspect mixed with technology that is modern and unique. The book starts out with four families who are competing against each other over social media. The more presence they have the more power they generate. This in turn works to power them with better health and longer lives. But it's competitive with a side of deadly. Enter our heroine, and her anti-hero. He is dark and all Alpha-hole. She is the smart and sassy but hides it behind her social media persona. Now add in Danger, and some seriously kinky sexy times, and you have this book. No, wait there's more. There is a bad guy in this mix. He is killing and running amuck. I can tell you I would not have guessed who the culprit was.

All in all, this is the perfect mix of Dark romance/not so fairytale, hot and heavy spice with a side of spanking, and a dash of thriller/mystery. What a great start to a whole new series. I can't wait for the next books.

I am an absolute sucker for a fairytale retelling so this book had my interest right off the bat! The chemistry between Alana and Thorn was obvious right from the start, I just love when you can feel that a couple is meant to be together, their romance was believable and enjoyable to read. Rebecca Zanetti also included wonderful side characters, which added just enough to the story but didn't take away from the main plot lines. This was a fun read the entire way through, with it's twists and turns, I was entertained the whole way and never wanted to put this book down! This take on Beauty and the Beast is unique and a breathe of fresh air, you will be captivated the entire way through!

Show me a fairytale (retelling) and I’d jump all over it as soon as I cast off all my worldly goods and shackles (read: after I have some time to myself). ‘Rebecca Zanetti’s ‘One Cursed Rose’ came up on my Netgalley feed and since I always love Beauty/Beast incarnations, this was one I wanted to delve into, despite the warnings of a ‘dark’ romance.

The broad term ‘Dark romance’ is in itself, problematic to me—or at least, the definitions and boundaries that I have in my head about what I’d personally find palatable tend to shift from time to time. Whether these contain themes like dubious consent, stalking, abductions, barely-justified violence, anti-heroes and so on, the lack of consensus meant that picking up ‘One Cursed Rose’ was quite possibly setting up myself for a pairing and a particularly strange world that I couldn’t get into at all.

It not only took me quite a while to figure out the part of crystal-power, social media family empires crossed with mafia-like control over these power lines that rule the world, but also that the pairing boiled down to an unlikeable male protagonist—who has just one day decides he wants the virginal Alana Beaumont for himself and thus kidnaps her—and an easily-swayed female lead who melts at every rough touch of his from the get go. And while Thorn Beathach simply gave the term ‘bad behaviour’ a good name at every turn, I kept waiting for Alana to somehow become more than a hollering female locked in a massive castle bemoaning her lack of choices but ended up with a self-head smack when all she wanted to do post-kidnapping was lose her virginity to him.

There’re certainly some Zanetti reads in the past that I found easier to digest and even liked to the point where I highly anticipated their sequels. Unfortunately this isn’t one of them, especially when I found myself simply ploughing through just to get the gist of the convoluted plot and world-building while trying to wrap my head around characters whom I wasn’t sure I even thought were good together.

Fun retelling but WOW there was too much going on. Made the book a little hard to follow. However - Will I be continuing to read the series? Yes.

The writing was stilted and awkward, and I stumbled along the sentences and couldn’t find the rhythm. I stopped after chapter 1 (6%). Considering the author’s extensive backlist, I imagine writing style is locked down and fans will be pleased.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC.

Rebecca Zanetti's version of Beauty and the Beast left me wanting more - what a great start to a new series.

Alana and Thorn have chemistry - boy howdy, do they - and it was a joy to read their way to each other, even though it's got twists and turns and there really aren't any good guys/ladies ... or are there?

The secondary characters add so much to the story too and I was left guessing a lot if they were going to be true friends or enemies to our main characters.

This book kept my interest all the way through. There wasn't a clear cut hero, but definitely a dark hero.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own. I can't wait for the next in the series.