This story is a modern take on Beauty and the Beast that captivated me. It's set in a world where social media empires clash using magical crystals. The story follows Alana Beaumont, heiress to a failing media giant who is forced into an arranged marriage for survival. She's rescued by Thorn Beathach, enigmatic head of a rival company, and their chemistry is as intense as their rivalry. I loved the blend of suspense and romance, especially how Zanetti weaves in fairy tale elements with a gritty, high-tech twist. It's a compelling exploration of power dynamics and forbidden desire that kept me hooked until the very end.

A dark romantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Yes, please. One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti is the first in the Grimm Bargains series. This dark romance offered suspense, mystery, and blended magic and technology, delivering a refreshing take on a favorite classic.

As you know, I am always game for a Beauty and the Beast retelling and was excited to dive into Rebecca Zanetti’s dark romantic fantasy. From the world that blends magic and technology by utilizing social media, I quickly found myself caught up in this story of power, danger and romance.

In this world, five families control the magic and gain power and wealth through social media and the powering of gemstones used to run their servers. It was a unique setup. We meet Alana Beaumont, who by outwards appearance is a wealthy socialite who parties, wears designer clothes and posts it all on social media. Her family, the Beaumonts, own Aquarius. They’ve recently suffered a tragic loss. Alana’s brother died in a tragic car accident, only she suspects foul play. Now stocks are slipping and her father wants to merge families through marriage; with Alana as the bride.

Alana is not just a pretty face. She is smart, can wield stones and has no intention of marrying. Someone else things Alana is smart, sexy and his….. when her life is in peril he swoops in and saves her. Some might call in kidnapping. Thorn Beathach, the Beast whose social media empire is driving Aquarius under and who has a dark reputation as a killer, brings Alana to his lair.

The tale that unfolds was sexy, suspenseful and full of twists as we learn Thorn has been cursed. I loved their back-and-forth banter, his neanderthal ways and her fire. A little BDSM, sweet gestures, and chemistry kept me vested in the romance even as I thrilled to learn who cursed Thorn, if Alana’s brother was murdered and who tried to kidnap Alana.

An interesting cast of side characters, including a Gaston, made for an intriguing tale. Zanetti’s story was well paced and the world solidly developed, allowing me to become completely lost in the story.

There are triggers to be found for some and some grey areas involving consent, but I had no issue with it. If you love rivals to lovers, sparks, suspense, mystery and romance weaved into your fantasy retellings, you’ll want to add this one to your summer reading list. I look forward to the next novel in the Grimm Bargains series.

This has been marketed as a twist on Beauty and the Beast. Other than the fact Thorn lives in a castle that has a big library, there's little similarity to it.

The whole world involving the gems and social media was confusing at best. I kept waiting for it to make sense, but by the end of the book, I still didn't really understand it. This is also a much darker romance than readers are used to by this author. There's nothing wrong with that; I enjoy a dark romance on occasion, especially when the main characters are likeable and have good chemistry. Sadly, that is missing from this book.

I normally enjoy books by this author, but this one, unfortunately, wasn't for me.

Although the story has some possibilities. This is the second book that I’ve read from this writer that i have struggled with as far as gaining my attention with the book. I’m not sure if some of the characters personalities are to forceful or not some may not be explained enough. The story maybe to timid or meh.

3/5 Stars

I really wanted to like this one but it fell fairly flat for me.
The romance started with him saving her and kidnapping her and her immediately being turned on by him and interested in him and was very insta love-y on her side. I mean he was obsessed with her so not for him. I'm all for dark romance, but this just went from her not knowing him to loving him on the drop of a dime.
The mystery was actually pretty interesting to read. And I really liked the ideas of the crystals and technology. Just wish the actual romance was something I liked.

Rivals to a social media empire powered by gemstones and clicks hook up to take down a killer and find a cure for a virus that is spread to people via a social application. This book was interesting and different. I loved that Alana was smart and self assured even as the MMC and his brother are speaking Gaelic thinking she can't understand but she had taught herself the language so that she could read more books. That is my kinda gal. My only complaint is the ending seemed a bit rushed. I look forward to more stories from Alana's friends finding their mates.

As someone who has read their fair share of Dark Romance (DR), this didn’t feel ‘that’ DR to me. However, as the saying goes with any mention of Dark Romance - Read. Your. Trigger. Warnings.

I was really excited to read this because I’ve heard so many good things about Zanetti’s other works, I think this one just wasn’t a homerun for me. My mixed feelings about this book are centred around how this is supposed to be a Dark Romance. However, it didn’t feel at all that dark? Whilst I do believe trigger warnings are important, this felt more BDSM and Dom x Brat play dynamic than anything else for me (which wasn’t an issue at all! Just be transparent you’ve got a bratty MFC because she was defiant more than anything!) Kudos to the sex scenes being well written, especially around this type of play.



I liked this book, there were several elements that I really enjoyed and that KEPT me reading. The pacing was a little fast, but I felt like that was the approach the author was going for. I really loved the dynamic between Thorn and Alana - the banter, the drama, and also how they grew together. I liked that we had a MMC that was focused around BEING TRUTHFUL (that’s one thing I can really get behind!) he never lied about who he was. Also I appreciated the reflectiveness in the POV’s that both Thorn and Alana had regarding their thoughts towards each other - that was a really nice touch! We also got some side characters that were genuinely really likeable (I personally loved thorns brother).



That being said, The plot just felt a little bit neither here, nor there. I worked out early on who the culprit was because it felt a little too obvious halfway through the book. I don’t think enough suspicion was built towards other characters for us to be misguided towards someone else. We didn’t have enough depth about the Social Media families to really pick it apart, and I wish we had! I didn’t really grasp a great understanding of Thorn’s mafia background, all we know that he rescues children from child trafficking and that he had a rough childhood. This is woven in between chapters, and it doesn’t feel like it plays much relevance. It was the same feeling that I had towards these flashbacks and nightmares Alana kept having but in her POV chapters we never really deep dive into them. I also always find the virginity fetishes really icky like I think we could’ve lived without these references in the book. 



The magic system was such an interesting idea. However, at times it was a little hard to follow. We just didn’t know enough about it! We have this whole gem system that essentially powers the social media outlets of the most powerful and popular social media companies. We are told there is a battle between these houses to become the top shot social media company and we don’t learn much else about it? We aren’t really told anything about why they are all rivals, there’s just not enough background. We had a moment in the library where Alana was reading up on the gem histories BUT that was never shared with us! Which meant we never got a full picture of their purpose and what the different type of gems do, or why some people can amplify gems and why others can’t. All it seemed like was that those who couldn’t amplify gems, just became coders?



Overall the world building fell a bit short, it just wasn’t fully developed as I’d have liked. There were so many interesting elements within this book, I just didn’t feel they were as fully fleshed out as they could’ve been.

Brilliant World-building!!

It is a time where there are four major families/companies. Power is derived from crystals/gems and social media. Unique, complex, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Malice Media is under attack, and the computer virus has spilled over to the human who charges the crystals, Thorn. Thorn is stalking Alana from the Beaumont family. She just lost her brother, and it looks like she may be targeted next. She has been asked by her father to marry into the Solokov family, but she does not like either possible son there.

It is a fascinating chain of events in a complex world. Relationships are super important, and the responsibilities of those in power are tenuous and demanding.

Pure entertainment, fast-paced, gritty and wonderful.

This is NOT your average Rebecca Zanetti read.

**Check your trigger warnings**

Abuse
BDSM
Knife play
Graphic violence
Childhood trauma

Wow….

I’ve been a Rebecca Zanetti fan for YEARS, almost since the beginning of her career. She is a versatile author, can write just about any genre. Rebecca’s character development is top notch and her storytelling is best of the best. And now she’s dipped her proverbial toe into the dark romance genre with One Cursed Rose.

After I finished One Cursed Rose, I feel I have to side-eye Rebecca and wonder where she pulled THAT out of her bag of author tricks. There were some parts of the book that did make me uncomfortable so I’ll say again, check your trigger warnings before reading.

One Cursed Rose is a dark and twisted retelling of Beauty and the Beast. In this world, depravity and immorality run rampant, vengeance is just, and power is the ultimate prize and the greatest equalizer. If you’re looking for a Disney prince to save you, you’ve come to the wrong place.

Alana is a multifaceted woman with so much strength and passion. I really like her. Thorn is sinfully decadent and a mystery the readers need to unravel for themselves. The secondary characters are complex and mysterious and absolutely kept me engaged in the story until the very end. The book left me wanting to know ALL their stories.

I do have mixed feelings about One Cursed Rose. The story is solid and entertaining. But the relationship that develops between Alana and Thorn is a dark and twisty mess, leaving me with confused and uncomfortable feelings I’m still trying to process.

I would recommend the book to those that truly enjoy reading dark romances. Check your trigger warnings and be prepared. I’m looking forward–hesitantly–to the next Grimm Bargains tale.

ONE CURSED ROSE is the first instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult GRIMM BARGAINS dark, erotic, urban fantasy, sci-fi series focusing on four powerful families with affinities to gemstones. This is Malice Media owner Thorn Beathach, and Aquarius Social media head Alana Rose Beaumont’s story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including violence and questionable consent, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

If you have not read ONE CURSED ROSE, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Thorn and Alana) ONE CURSED ROSE follows in the wake of the abduction of our story line heroine. There are four powerful families with affinities to gemstones, vying for control of social media. The more followers and likes, the more power and life force is gained by those in charge. Along with the social media and influencers, the lives of the four families are ‘powered’ by the gemstones, gemstones that are the life-force of the families and their heirs. Alana’s father Maurice has offered his daughter to one of the other social media families in an effort to prop up their numbers and gemstone powers but someone else is watching from the shadows, someone who is determined to claim Alana as his own. Enter Thorn Beathach, the scarred and dangerous owner of Malice Media, and the man with whom Alana will fall in love. What ensues is the building but tempestuous relationship between Alana and Thorn, and the fall-out as Thorn is targeted, and Alana must find a way to save the man that she loves.

The world building is complex and complicated. A Mafia-style control of power between the four ruling families, families with affinities to gemstones, families that are willing to bargain with the lives of their own in an effort to secure more influence, more potential, more likes and more gems…but…there is a large disconnect between the premise and a lack of information regarding the big six-who, what, where, when, why and how -as to the connection between the gemstones and social media- and the life force held within both. With a number of instalments planned for the future, some background information and history is needed to unravel the confusion. The premise focuses on priori knowledge-knowledge that is acquired independently of experience or prior knowledge to the reader and in that, there are too many unanswered questions.

The relationship between Alana and Thorn begins as an abduction. Alana will be kept a virtual prisoner as Thorn struggles to uncover who or what has targeted Malice Media. There are a number of theories in play but Thorn needs to take control of our story line heroine as she is the one who can melt the ice that is taking hold. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative with some issues of questionable consent..

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including several members of competing media power houses. Everyone becomes suspect when Thorn’s life hangs in the balance but it is our heroine who will face the biggest challenge when the truth is revealed.

ONE CURSED ROSE is a dark, intricate and entangled Beauty and the Beast style story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, acceptance and love. The premise is haunting and raw; the romance is twisted and edgy; the characters are animated, determined and tragic.



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This is the first book in a new series by Rebecca Zanetti. I could not put this book down. It’s a dark romance with paranormal elements. Alana will inherited a social network that runs on gems and her feelings. Thorn runs another network but a virus in that network is slowly killing him. He kidnaps Alana due to the danger she is facing. Eventually their feelings result in love for each other. Can Alana save Thorn’s life in time? I loved the suspense, it kept me on the edge of my seat. I totally recommend this book

First, I want to thank Netgalley. In exchange for an honest review, I got to read One Cursed Rose in advance.

I liked this book a lot. It was just a bit too cringy and easily predictable. The whole social media thing made me wanna die in some parts.
So much didn’t make sense. I think the world Rebecca built had so much potential, but kinda fell flat. The idea of using crystals as the magic system was very unique. I wish we had more time to expand on it.
Onto the romance. The relationship between Alana and Thorn was cute. One of the things I loved about thorn, was how honest he was the whole time. He had this rule of no lies between the two, before Alana’s feelings were at all established. We do get a good bit of Stockholm syndrome, but he did kidnap her so idk what I expected.
Overall, I did really like it and do recommend. I wouldn’t exactly call it dark romance though. Also the spice is pretty good.

This is the start to a new dark romantasy series has it all: romance, angst, suspense, and tons of spice! It is highly addictive- and such good world building. Thorn and Alana 😍 I really enjoyed the little parts that incorporated the story of Beauty and the Beast but made the story modern with the incorporation of social media. The world building was engaging. I am excited to read more from this series.

When I requested this book it thought it sounded pretty good, I'll give it a shot. I did not expect to be pulled in immediately and trapped inside! I did not want to put this book down. I just so happened to leave work early today not feeling well and decided today would be the day to start this book, not knowing today would also the the day I finished it as well!
Thorn "How dare you hide your intelligence from me?"
Alana "How dare you assume I'm not smart."
Thorn is as beastly as his scars portray him to be. But when it comes to Alana, he's outright feral. He'll do anything to protect her. On the outside, Alana appears to be nothing more than a beautiful rich girl but, she's smart and feisty as hell. Both come from one of the four families that rule the world and someone is trying to take down the competition. Thorn has been diseased and will die soon. Is Alana smart enough to save him? Does she care enough to save him?

One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti

This is a dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast. There are other storyline that may possibly be in the additional books in the series, most likely Cinderella, so keep that in mind.

The "retelling" is very very loosely tied in that our antihero Thorn has beastly qualities and our princess is beautiful and loves a good book. Oh and of course the curse, but that's kinda a given with the title.

So, if you've gotten this far in the review you are clearly intrigued, here's where we might go off the rails a bit. Do you believe in magic? You good with some seriously violent events? If you answered no to either of these questions, this is not a good fit for you, so move along.

However, if you can get behind this fictional world, I feel the author did a good job with the world building. Although my pet peeve is if you had four super powerful, possibly somewhat immortal families, wouldn't they be in different parts of the world, controlling their "perctange"? But I get it, the story and the overlaps and the social media aspect, the insightful interfighting between the families wouldn't hold up with distance. At the core this story is a power struggle, a couple of unsolved mysteries, a blossoming love story, betrayal, some pretty dark kinky times and lots of bloodshed. It's interesting and keeps you guessing.

I love this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Thorn is very domineering and one hundred percent alpha male. Thorn is also walking the line of morally gray. Alana gets way more than she bargained for. There is a little bit of intrigue,romantic suspense and science fiction all mixed in. There are times when you wonder about Thorn and Alana totally does some unexpected things. Great story and can’t wait for more stories in this bit of dark genre from this author.

An intriguing mystery for Alana Rose Beaumont as she navigates both family and personal issues and protects her “charity” interests. When she is targeted, she is saved by Thorn Beathach, leader of Malice Media, but is he protecting her or claiming her as his own? A supernatural vibe to this slightly dark romantic suspense as four ruling families depend on the various gems to charge and protect their lives. Intrigue abounds as each family fights for the gems they need, especially Thorn who is in danger of freezing to death. Thorn has a virus, a virus that may well end his life, but can Alana find a cure that will save him? Alana has always trusted those close to her, but will she learn that her trust has been misplaced? A haunting love story, with a slightly gothic feel, as Thorn fights to stay alive while protecting her. Has her finally found the love of his life? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

“One Cursed Rose” by Rebecca Zanett is the first book in the series Grimm Bargains. This is a physically beautiful book by the pictures and would make a great addition to the Rebecca Zanetti collection. It’s advertised as a “twist on the Beauty and the Beast” story. There are two main characters Alana, the beauty who is the sole heir to a media giant. She is intelligent and gifted. Then there is Thorn who in this story would be considered the beast. He is the head of the competing social media empire.

I had a little trouble getting into the story but then it reached a point where I couldn’t put it down. It is a good story with many twists and turns with an element of the mystical with special characteristics of gems.

Rebecca Zanetti is a very talented author. I have loved everything she has written including “One Cursed Rose”. As with all of her books, I can’t wait for the next one.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy for my honest review.

This was a really interesting take on Beauty and the Beast and futuristic sort of fantasy world! This first book in this new series and it was really different. Interesting characters, mystery and lots of action. I'm interested to see what happens with the rest of these characters. Thorn definitely brought a lot of personality and was probably my favorite part. I already can’t wait for more books in this series!

4/5 ✨ • 3/5 🌶

After reading the blurbs on NetGalley and Goodreads, I went into this book knowing it would be a loose telling of Beauty and the Beast with a twist. I enjoyed the added esoteric/occult spin on this retelling as well. I am excited to eventually read the 2nd book in this series to see what Zanetti can dream up next.

This is my second book by Zanetti and I enjoy her writing style. It is fast-paced and easy to read. I am glad this was one of my first dark romance reads. I will be reading more!

As always, thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Zanetti, and Kensington Books for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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