Get your bags (and scuba gear) packed for an adventurous trip to the Amalfi Coast!

What I loved:
🐚dual timelines
🐚sunken treasure
🐚ancient mystical magic (sea witches!)
🐚 strong female characters
🐚romance

Sarah Penner has such a talent for writing dual timelines and she continues to showcase this talent with #TheAlmafiCurse.
The past and present timelines intertwine perfectly AND both are equally compelling.

Thank you so much @htpbooks and @htphive for granting me early access through @netgalley. This beauty will be out in the world April 24, 2025. Have you seen the cover? Mesmerizing!

I squealed when I got an advanced copy of this book. I loved it even more than her first two. I am drawn to water and the ocean so I knew this was going to be right up my alley.

Sarah Penner delivered again with two strong female leads, amazing history back to the 1800s, rich scenes, and multiple points of view as we learned about the Almalfi coast, the sea witches that protected them and the shipwrecks left in their wake. The present day timeline involved an oceanic archeologist, Haven, who is carrying out her father's wish for her to dive and find the treasure that slipped away from him. Mari, the leader of the sea witches, teaches us about Positano, pirates, life and survival in that timeline as well as navigating life as a woman and what was expected from you. I enjoyed the dual touch on relationships with daughters and fathers.

Thank you so much for the copy of The Amalfi Curse. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to purchase it. The cover is beautiful! I am local to the author and am really looking forward to this book launch. I am also excited to find out what book #4 will be about.

#TheAmalfiCurse #NetGalley

I made it to 50% and had to stop reading for now. I love this authors books, but this one for some reason wasn’t easy for me to read and was pretty slow and boring. I might have showed more interest if I was reading while listening to an audiobook. I hope I can pick this one back up later on!

You had me at Amalfi! Sarah Penner’s latest historical fiction/modern mystery The Amalfi Curse is a page-turner. With dual POVs, timelines spanning centuries and the backdrop of Positano and the Amalfi Coast, I was drawn in from the start. Penner seamlessly layers the stories from Haven Ambrose, a nautical archeologist in present day, and Mari, a streghe or sea witch from the 1800s.

One of my favorite things about Sarah Penner’s writing is how she can build two worlds in the same place but hundreds of years apart and then beautifully thread them together.

This book is beautiful inside and out. The cover art is gorgeous and so well encompasses the feeling of the Amalfi Coast. The story itself is spellbinding and keeps a nice pace throughout. Penner adds several twists and one made me gasp while reading.

100% recommend The Amalfi Curse to all who enjoy historical fiction, strong female characters, a little magical realism, multiple POV and split timelines. You won’t be disappointed.

Having spent my high school years in Naples, I was uniquely drawn to The Amalfi Curse, especially as a fan of Sarah Penner’s previous books. Her knack for blending history with magical realism made this one of my most anticipated reads, and it didn’t disappoint in delivering a vivid and immersive escape. Positano, with its sun-drenched cliffs and winding streets, comes alive on the page, making you want to book a flight immediately. Penner’s ability to weave real-life history with a supernatural twist remains one of her strongest strengths, and the premise of this book is both unique and intriguing.

If you enjoyed The London Séance Society or The Lost Apothecary, this one will feel like slipping into familiar and delightful territory. Penner’s signature style of combining rich historical detail with a touch of magic is fully on display here, offering a similarly captivating reading experience.

That said, the story does ask the reader to suspend disbelief more than a few times. Everything ties together a little too perfectly, which undercuts the stakes the characters are so focused on. It’s fun, but it doesn’t feel as high-pressure as it could have.

On the romance front, I found myself wanting more from Haven and Enzo. Their connection felt rushed, leaning heavily on the “instalove” trope. I wanted more time to see their bond develop rather than being told they had a deep connection. It also didn’t help that Savina—after just one date—started talking to Haven about marriage and grandchildren. It felt oddly out of place, and Haven not being weirded out by it was perhaps even stranger.

Another aspect I wished had been explored further was the connection between Savina, Enzo, and the streghe of the past. Penner sets up a fascinating link between the characters and the region’s history, but I would’ve loved more insight into how they were tied to the streghe and their legacy.

Overall, this is an entertaining and fast read that offers an enchanting escape. It may not be perfect, but its charm, unique concept, and lush setting make it an enjoyable journey. Fans of Penner’s previous work won’t want to miss it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for sharing an advanced reader’s copy of this gripping novel in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah's books are great fun. I enjoyed the Italian setting and the dual timeline. Such a great pick for any bookclub and so much to unpackaged and chew on.

I can't stress this enough, the cover of this book? This is what initially drew me to it... then reading the synopsis - witches, the Amalfi coast, mysterious shipwrecks, treasure hunting... need I say more?

This story is a dual-POV that intertwines Haven, who is currently searching for a boat in Postiano as her father did and a group of women in the 1800s that need to protect their village from pirates.

When Haven arrives to Postiano to find a boat that has been submerged for centuries, she is looking to do this not only for herself, but her late father as this was the last boat he ever dove on. Throughout her time, she learns the history of the part of the sea where this ship sank and becomes a local in Postiano.

In the other POV, we meet Mari. She is what feels like the
"leader" of this group of strong women who protect their village from treasure hunters in 1821. This group of women is not like rest, however. They practice a type of magic called stregheria making them witches of the sea. When the Mazza brothers enter the picture and stir up trouble for this village, Mari must make decisions to either keep herself safe and escape, or risk everything to save her village.

I will truly say that this is not my normal type of book. I am a fan of contemporary romance and plain mysteries, and usually I don't stray too far from that. Like I said above, the cover is what truly got me first. After I started reading, however, I couldn't stop. I devoured this book in less than 48 hours, hanging on every possible ending that could happen. I was not expecting a lot of what happened in this book and that made me enjoy it so much more.

My family is from around the Amalfi Coast, so seeing the nods to Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, Limoncello and more really made me so happy. The history lover in me also was so excited to see Haven utilizing archived records to do her research!

I have been the biggest Sarah Penner fan since The Lost Apothecary. My love for her writing continued when I read The London Seance Society, and now grows stronger after reading The Amalfi Curse! Fangirling so hard over the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

A hallmark of Penner's books is that the amount of research done is always evident. Her ability to create colorful and picturesque settings make this book impossible to put down. Having never been to Amalfi in real life, based on the descriptions and characters, I now feel like I have had a glimpse and have inadvertently added a stamp to my passport. We also got some fun, free, Duolingo-like Italian lessons sprinkled in.

Swooning at this Italian romance! What girl doesn't dream of going to Italy and meeting a dream boat (pun intended, as this love interest LITERALLY has the boat). Having this sweet love story dedicated to Penner's husband was special. The final sentence was absolutely perfect.

Sarah Penner’s *The Amalfi Curse* is a spellbinding tale of mystery, history, and intrigue that will captivate readers from start to finish. Known for her ability to weave compelling narratives, Penner once again delivers a story that is richly atmospheric and utterly unputdownable.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, the novel follows a protagonist determined to uncover the truth behind a centuries-old curse. The vivid descriptions of sun-soaked villages, ancient ruins, and the glittering Mediterranean create a setting so immersive, it feels like stepping into a postcard—but one tinged with danger and secrets.

Penner’s characters are deeply layered, with personal stakes that make their journeys both relatable and riveting. The blend of historical intrigue and contemporary discovery is seamlessly executed, with twists and revelations that will leave readers gasping. Themes of resilience, love, and the search for truth resonate powerfully throughout the story.

*The Amalfi Curse* is a masterpiece of historical suspense, perfect for fans of Penner’s earlier work and anyone who loves a richly woven tale filled with mystery and heart. With its stunning prose and gripping plot, this book is destined to become a favorite. Highly recommended; absolutely a five star read!

This was such a great story that’s a bit different from Sarah Penner’s usual vibe. The story delivers us Mediterranean allure, sunken treasures, and a dash of witchcraft.

The narrative oscillates between two timelines: the 1820s, featuring Mari DeLuca, a sea witch grappling with her powers and forbidden love; and the present day, where Haven Ambrose, a nautical archaeologist, embarks on a treasure hunt in her father’s footstep along the Amalfi Coast.

I enjoy how Penner intertwines historical fiction with a more present day story and this one features two fiercely independent and strong women. I was more partial to the historical fiction parts with Mari and the forbidden love which is surprising to me because it was the treasure hunting adventure part that caught my eye with this one. While I did enjoy Haven’s story, I feel like her character wasn’t as appealing as Mari’s.

Penner’s prose delivers!! She really places is on the Italian coast and I think that and the treasure hunting adventure made this one feel so different than her others. When I read her short story, The Conjuror’s Wife, I was really curious to see if there would be any correlation with using Positano in both but sadly, I did not find any.

Nevertheless, this was another good Penner book that combines historical fiction with women’s fiction, a mystery adventure, magical realism, and romance.

This is Sarah's best work yet. I absolutely loved the story and fell in love with the characters. Such a great mix of timelines.

I learned about two new topics reading this book - nautical archaeology and stregheria (magical ability to harness the sea). The story is told in two timeframes in Italy - 1821 and present day. It is a rich story with wonderfully development characters and an in-depth plot. I love this author and usually give her 5 stars, but I gave her 4 stars here, because I did not feel the "must finish" desire that I usually do when reading her work. Still, it is a fascinating and satisfying story. Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Park Row for providing an ARC.

I approached The Amalfi Coast as a Sarah Penner fan (loved her first two novels) and a reader/educator who enjoys reading historical fiction set in Italy. This book didn’t disappoint; it is a gem.

First of all, the dual narrative works beautifully, weaving the two heroines narratives around an ancient mystery of sea-witches—love that concept. Both women have complex stories and are completely sympathetic, especially Mari, who touched my heart with her loving nature and self-sacrifice. Suffice it to say, I devoured the book in two days, and found the ending satisfying and fitting (I won’t say more in case any readers haven’t finished reading it). Also, I found the writing style very, very smooth, yet poetic in places, reflecting the complex nature of Italian culture.

Pros:
-the beautiful cover (it is haunting in its use of colors and shapes)
-the concise narratives of the two heroines—both of them are appealing and emotionally compelling
-the complex mystery (It unfolds slowly and carefully, then quite quickly, almost like Ms. Penner's image of the swirling seas)
-the ending

Cons:
Absolutely none

This is already one of my favorite books of Spring, 2025!

📚 ARC Review: The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
Release date: April 29, 2025

Growing up I'd always wanted to be a marine biologist. I loved the idea of exploring the water, and of course hanging out with dolphins. A marine archeologist seems like another cool career, studying human history through sunken treasure. The premise of this book immediately hooked me in.

The Amalfi Curse is centered around historic treasure and the sea. This book has alternating timelines, one with the modern day FMC Haven, a marine archeologist. 1840's, Mari, a sea witch Strega, who curses unwanted sailors away from Positano, and Holmes, Mari's sailor lover.

I instantly loved the sea witches and the atmospheric storyline of Mari's family history. I liked the love/hate relationship to the sea and how this story is revealed.

Haven, the modern day FMC is looking for her late father's last unsolved treasure in the Amalfi Coast. She's dropped from Project Relic for her fathers former partner. Haven ropes in the hot local Enzo and his mom to help her solve the mystery.

I'm theory, with all of these elements I should have absolutely loved this book. But the execution is where it really misses. I was hoping for a bit more of a whimsical fantasy, or a bit more magical realism for Havens POV. It's my first book from this writer and I don't think I'm a huge fan of her writing style. The pacing and ending seem so disjointed it sort of falls flat with the third act twist. I'm not sure if parts of the ending in formatting were cut off, but it just sort of abruptly ends. I honestly wish for the build up that the ending wasn't so rushed. It really was going to be 4⭐s until that part.

This might be for you if you like quick, contemporary litfic with a bit of suspense and some witchy elements, and you're not too heavily invested in lore or fantasy, and you like HEA.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Rating: 3.5⭐'s

#netgalley #amalficurse

I love Sara Penner’s books. The way she weaves her storytelling draws me in immediately. The Amalfi Curse has romance, magic and more. The story was interesting and haunting. It had me thinking about it even after finishing.

*****Publishing April 29, 2025*****

Sarah Penner explores the Amalfi Curse in her latest dual timeline book. The book begins in 1821 with the use of witchcraft by sea witches to hunt for treasure and help protect them and their community from pirates or unknown ships. When one of their own is kidnapped, will the sea witches be able to find her? This book alternates to the present day with Haven and her team of nautical archaeologists seeking to find the hidden treasure from ship wrecks off the Amalfi Coast. Haven is trying to finish out what her father hadn’t accomplished. Can she find what she came looking for, or will this project be cursed?

This book will definitely take you on an adventure! It has a little bit of everything from witchcraft to thrilling adventures, to romance, which makes it entertaining and will keep you turning the pages! I love how Sarah Penner connects the historical part of the story to the present day! A great book for book clubs as it will lead to many great discussions!

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing (Park Row), I was provided an ARC The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Haven is a nautical archeologist who is researching shipwrecks after the death of her father, who left behind clues to a treasure he documented but couldn't recover before his passing. This leads her to Positano and the site of a numerous shipwrecks, which leads locals to believe the area is cursed. During her search, Haven uncovers the story of Mari, a sea witch, and her lover Holmes, whose points of view we read alongside Haven's.
I loved this book. Once I got familiar with the characters, it was hard for me to put down. The book has romance, mystery, some historical fiction, and a hint of fantasy. I also enjoyed seeing Haven's research process during her dives. The ending left me wanting more. I was sad when this book ended!

I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning and the writing is so descriptive i felt like I was in Amalfi on the coast!

Thank you so so much for this eARC. I adored The Lost Apothecary and knew that I needed to read this too. I love Penner's writing and how easily you are sucked into the story. I couldn't put it down.
I love the dual timeline, multiple POV of the sailor, the sea witch, and the current day diver. I always can't to see how her stories intersect at the end. The Italian setting was so atmospheric and made me feel like I was there, which to be honest, I wish I was.
I can't wait to read her next ones.

I was immediately sucked right into the book and loved the many layers it had and the timelines. This is magic realism at its best! Sarah Penner is an author I have read and enjoyed her books, but now she is at a whole new level of amazing with the Amalfi Curse. The timelines blended perfectly with the story of Mari and the sea witches , which was fascinating, as was the nautical aspect in, Haven's, timeline. From the beginning scene I wanted to learn more about their story and this book was so perfectly done! Historical Fiction is a favorite genre of mine, and this just took it to a whole new level with Jenner's writing and characters!