4.5 stars rounded up! I enjoyed so many things about this book. The characters were interesting (sea witches, pirates, and a nautical archeologist looking for sunken treasure), the beautiful setting (the Amalfi Coast is on my short list of places to visit), the multiple POVs with different timelines that eventually intersect, and the side love story. This book has something for everyone and is Sarah Penner’s best yet!

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in consideration for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced readers copy of Sarah Penner's 'The Amalfi Curse' in exchange for my review.

First off, this book has gorgeous cover art. 5 stars.

A story of sea witches, pirates, shipwrecks, and treasure hunters. What's not to like. A bit slow to start but an engaging story once you've settled into it.

I may be in the minority but this book didn't work for me. My first book from this author, I was intrigued by the premise and the imagery. Ultimately I couldn't get into the story with jumping between characters and timelines. I wasn't particularly thrilled about the writing either. I may check out the audio if it becomes available. Thanks to HTP Hive for the free eARC.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this book. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting but this wasn’t it.

This was a captivating and magical story, and also my first introduction to the works of Sarah Penner. Intrigued by the title and blurb of this book, I decided to pick it up and I'm so glad I did. The characters of this book were all well-developed and complex, and I loved that the female main character had strength and power that was refreshing to read.

While I sometimes wish it was more fast-paced, I understand the need for world-building and to not rush the details of this story. I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to picking up more books from Sarah Penner's catalogue soon.

You’ll love this if you love:

🌊Scuba diving
🌊Sea witches
🌊Treasure hunt
🌊 Multiple timelines
🌊 Amalfi Coast setting

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for the ARC.

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner is a captivating and atmospheric novel that blends mystery, history, and a touch of the supernatural. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, the story follows a woman grappling with the haunting legacy of a centuries-old curse. Penner’s prose is lush and immersive, drawing readers into the story’s richly detailed setting. The plot is filled with twists, creating an engaging blend of suspense and intrigue. Though the pacing can occasionally be slow, the well-developed characters and eerie tension keep the story compelling. Fans of historical fiction with a touch of the fantastical will enjoy this enthralling read.

I’ve been so excited for The Amalfi Curse and it was one of the first books I used my auto approve from The Hive to get. I knew plenty of what to expect, but what I didn’t expect was a small helping of feminine rage and it made everything so much better.

I love how Sarah Penner weaves together the past and the present, but this one is a little more special with the weaving in of the mystery that Haven’s dad’s left behind in addition to the events of 200 years past.

The beautiful setting of Positano sets as the backdrop to this mystery of witches of the past and a curse that appears to be acting up again. Add in some unexpected, well, unexpected by the FMC and MMC, romance, treasure hunting, and pirates and you’ve got yourself a fun time.

This book was entertaining but did not feel like it had any real substance to it. It did not feel like the author had anything real to say beyond that people can be mean sometimes. The modern storyline did not seem to add anything, including having a villain that did not make sense at all. The historical storyline was interesting but could have been a short story.

✨the amalfi curse✨
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

Review :
Sarah Penner’s best work yet!!!
Kidnapping, dual time-lines, two love stories, a treasure hunt, scuba diving, a line of powerful women witches, and ITALY?! Seriously what more could you want! I was absolutely obsessed with this from beginning to end! If you liked Sarah’s other books I think you will love this one!

Thanks to netgalley, Sarah Penner and Park Row for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review 🖤

The Amalfi Curse is told in several points of view over different time periods. It was very easy to follow

I'm not really one to enjoy historical fiction but I really did enjoy this one. The way the past and current timelines are written really brings it all together that answers all the questions and ends the story perfectly.

5/5 Stars 10/10 recommend

Wow, Sarah Penner does it again - 5 stars - 10/10 - will recommend to everyone! The Amalfi Curse was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025 as The Lost Apothecary was one of my favorites I read last year. Thank you Park Row / Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an e-ARC.

Haven gives off aquatic, female Indiana Jones vibes. I personally love reading a strong, smart, female lead and Penner never disappoints. The Amalfi Curse jumps between present day & 1821, yet it feels seamless. Both stories are intertwined perfectly and help push the overall storyline without the time jumps feeling jarring.

I honestly don't know how Penner does it - every single time I thought I found an easter egg or breadcrumb and knew the direction the story was going, a current or wave swept me masterfully in the opposite direction. The way she uses foreshadowing yet still keeps you on your toes is masterful.

Witches, magic, the sea, kidnapping, murder, and romance: what more could you ask for in a book! I loved it!

I did not love this book. I felt that the characters in the section that took place in the 1800s could have been developed better. And, I felt that the plot for the entire book could have had more to it and been developed more. The plot also moved too slowly for me to get into it - it did not pull me in. The characters did not interest me; they were one dimensional and the plot also did not really interest me. I thank HTP and @netgalley for the chance to read this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Sarah Penner’s witchy books! When the witchy vibes take me to Italy, even better! This was a wonderful sweeping story. Told in two timelines, the present day search for answers ties into the past . Secrets and magic lie in the ocean.

Thank you to Park Row for the ARC! This will be shared to my instagram blog shortly.

THE AMALFI CURSE • Sarah Penner • Pub Date: April 29, 2025 • 4 stars

I am fairly hit or miss with historical fiction/magical realism. However, I have read and enjoyed Penners previous two books, so I was excited to give this one a go. I am happy to report that this is my favorite book of hers thus far! Thank you to NetGalley; the author, Sarah Penner; and the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing for an eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Abridged Goodreads Synopsis: Haven Ambrose, a nautical archaeologist, has come to the village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven’s arrival, strange maelstroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. As Haven searches for her father’s sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and one woman’s quest to save her lover and her village by using the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean. Could this magic be behind Positano’s latest calamities? Haven must unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever...

This book was a dual POV featuring Mari's storyline in the early 1800s, and Haven's storyline in the present day. For once in a dual POV, I felt like I enjoyed both stories equally. And seeing them so masterfully woven together made for a captivating story and fantastic ending. This book also features magic, murder, romance, and betrayal, all against the backdrop of the picturesque and atmospheric seaside town of Positano, Italy. Even the side characters were well-developed, and really added to the story and growing tensions!

I will absolutely be recommending this book. As a matter of fact, I have already put the publishing date on my sister-in-law's radar because this book was so perfectly up her alley!

This review has been shared to:
Goodreads on March 25, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7411907154
Instagram (will be posted on April 29, 2025; I will update this review with the link).

I devoured this in one sitting! Sarah never disappoints and THE AMALFI CURSE is a beautiful, intertwined story of female empowerment, magic, and mystery. I loved each POV and was excited to get back to each storyline. Absolutely one of my top reads of 2025 hands down!

As a reader of all things witchy, and Italian, I was so excited to get the chance to read this book! But alas, it was not for me. The writing and characters fell flat and I struggled for months to pick it up. I did not care about Haven or any of the present day timeline at alllll. I wish the story would have just been about Mari and the women but even then, I just wasn’t gripped enough by the writing to care. 😭

When I saw a new release from the author of “The Lost Apothecary,” I knew I had to read it. The premise of Italian witches of the sea, archaeology, a treasure hunt and a modern & historical romance was a great draw also. This book did not disappoint. I loved the multiple POVs and the historical plot’s connection to the modern day one. Both kept me reading and anxious to see how they would play out. Both FMCs were such capable and likable characters and Holmes was such a good way to show what was happening on the ocean in relation to Mari & her friends’ actions. All around an absolutely stellar book and I believe I loved it even more than “The Lost Apothecary!”

Thank you to NetGalley & Park Row for allowing me to read and review this one!!

I absolutely loved this book! Definitely made me feel like I need a vacation in Italy! This story was so unique, it would be a perfect summer read!

Sarah Penner knocks it out of the park again with this one! Archeologists, treasure, mystery, and forbidden love? Sign me up right away! This book kept me guessing and immersed the entire way through whiteout feeling stressful or confused. The characters were relatable and well written, and the love subplot was wonderful. Highly recommend!