5⭐️

Another INCREDIBLE novel by Sarah Penner! This is by far my favorite of hers so far. Summer vibes in Italy, witchcraft, sunken treasure, duel timeline/POV, this book had so much going for it! The storyline kept me so hooked I truly could not put this down and i loved the ending. No notes!

Sarah Penner writes magical realism beautifully, in a way that appeals to readers of all genres, including those who prefer the "realism" over the "magical", like myself. Penner never fails to captivate readers and transport them to faraway places and times.

Alternating between different points of views and timelines, The Amalfi Curse is set in dreamy Positano. The descriptions are so vivid that you will likely find yourself contemplating booking a one-way ticket there for your next vacation. This story combines all that we once loved in our childhood tales: witches (the nice kind!), pirates, treasure hunts, and forever love, but braided in a way that attracts readers of any age.

The Lost Apothecary likely remains my favourite Sarah Penner book, but The Amalfi Curse is a close second!

And can we also give a round of applause to what is most likely one of the most gorgeous book covers of 2025?!

Read if you like...
🫒 Italian settings
✨️ Magical realism
🏴‍☠️ Pirate and sailing stories
🧙 Witch stories
💎 Treasure hunts

🙏Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for a gifted advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoyed Sarah Penner’s previous books, I’m sure you’ll love ‘The Amalfi Curse’ as well.
The dual-timeline story takes place in Positano, on the Amalfi Coast. She weaves the timelines together seamlessly, from 1821 Mari to Haven investigating shipwrecks in the present day.
This was a great summer read. Looking forward to her next book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row for a complementary ARC for my honest review.

Witchcraft and the sea? Yes please! I was drawn by the cover and stayed for the story. I love the history and the magical realism in this one. Told through 3 POVs, it slowly uncovers truths to an old curse, whispers of witchcraft, and finding sunken treasure. If you enjoyed Penner’s previous books, you’ll enjoy this one!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thanks to @harlequinbooks for this copy!

I really enjoyed this one. The story has two time lines, one in 1821 telling Mari’s story as she struggles to keep her loved ones safe from corrupt businessmen. In the current time line, Haven, an archeologist searches for the treasure her father found but couldn’t retrieve on his last dive.

I really liked the setting, the magical aspect and the characters. There were a few twists I didn’t see coming and the ending was very satisfying.

A classic Sarah Penner, multiple pov historical fiction novel that focused on sea witches in Italy! Includes a romance, a treasure, and sunken ships. The story details a modern day diver researcher who is struggling with grief, but her research leads to a 1820s love story on the Amalfi Coast. Penner brings the two stories together at the end for a sweet ending. A great summer beach reach!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ArC!

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner is a beautifully atmospheric dual-timeline novel weaving nautical archaeology and Italian sea-witch folklore into a mesmerizing mystery. The sun-drenched Amalfi Coast setting shines vividly, while Penner’s detailed maritime history and magical realism keep both past and present storylines compelling . Though pacing in the modern timeline can slow and some side characters feel underdeveloped, the emotional resonance and lush prose make it an immersive read .4/5 stars! I always love Sarah’s books and this didn’t disappoint.

The Amalfi Curse is a perfect beach read for this summer if you’re looking for something that steps a bit away from the romance genre. While there definitely is a background of romance, there’s so much more to this story! Magic, curses, a treasure hunting adventure, and dual timelines, all along the magical Amalfi coast… what could be better?

In The Amalfi Curse, Haven is a nautical archeologist that has traveled to Positano to study the mysterious ship wrecks that plague the area. Unbeknownst to her team, she’s also there to look for some treasure that her late father said he discovered in the region. Along the way she uncovers a centuries old tale of sorceresses, specifically their leader Mari, that could harness the power of the ocean to protect their beachside town.

I really enjoyed this story! It was a relatively quick read, with an engaging plot, and characters that I loved reading about. The mystery and adventure in both timelines of the story kept me turning the pages. I couldn’t wait to see how everything turned out! I loved the background of the Amalfi Coast, too. If it wasn’t already at the very top of my travel bucket list, this book would have pushed it up there!

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

4.5 stars — i’ve truly enjoyed sarah penner’s previous novels and the amalfi curse was just as enjoyable and captivating! i think it’s safe to say she’s an autobuy author for me. the amalfi curse follows three different povs — two set in the 1800s, and one set in modern day italy, and penner writes each character strongly and distinctly.

i also listened to the audio, and it added to the overall experience!

Publishing and Sarah Penner for this ARC copy. The follow will be my honest review.

<b> The Amalfi Curse </b> by Sarah Penner | ★★☆☆☆
This had all the elements I usually enjoy — a lush Italian backdrop, a hint of magic, a mix of history and mystery — but for me it didn’t quite come together. The dual timeline felt fragmented, and I found it hard to stay invested in the characters or the romance. It’s a beautifully conceived story, just not one that worked for me.

This book was a classic Sarah Penner, enough modern story-telling mixed with magic to have me hooked. I LOVED Mari's story and wanted maybe a bit more of her actual love story instead of being told about it in the past. However, I started to be intrigued and rooting for Haven to find out the story and history of Mari. I wanted to like Haven's love story but it just fell flat for me. 3.5 stars.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nothing makes you want to hop on a plane and head to Italy’s Amalfi Coast like a story of a lost treasure in a shipwreck and a group of witches that would protect Positano from raiders. Told in a dual timeline, it is the story of one of these women, Mari, in 1821 trying with the others to keep Positano safe from a the raiding and thieving Mazzo Brothers. Then in 2025, it’s the story of Haven, a marine archaeologist who is trying to build her name and reputation as a female in a male dominated industry and finish what her father had started by following some clues to a lost treasure.

And my favorite part…the Amalfi antipasti recipes at the end. I am going to give them a try!

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Maybe I should stay away from any books with magical realism because I don't like them. No fault of the book, but I just can't buy the story.

“The greatest treasure to be found is love”

Told in dual timelines, the 1820’s and present day, The Amalfi Curse follows a group of women who are “sea witches” descended from ancient sirens, who are dedicated to protecting their little coastal village from looters and pirates. In the present day timeline, an archeologist named Haven is on a quest to find the long lost treasures and shipwrecks that the Tyrrhenian Sea holds.

After losing her father after dive in Positano, Haven returns to the dive site to follow through on her father’s exploration. But before her archeological dive project can even begin, a luxury yacht sinks suddenly, and sea conditions threaten the dive, and the company backing the project cancels. Haven refuses to give up on her father’s quest, so she beings to research the area, the history, the myths and lore of the ancient Amalfi Curse. When she finds a log of one of the sailors from the 1820’s, she discovers so much more than buried treasure.

Short review: If you liked any of the author's previous works, this will probably do it for you as well. I actually think this one was better than The Lost Apothecary due to the unique setting of the small Italian town of Positano in the 1800s and in present day. The author does an excellent job managing the dual POV - they are very well balanced, though I did feel myself more drawn toward the present day setting than the past.

This is a really unique blend of genres, maybe I would call it a historical fantasy? But it could also appeal to mystery readers, and there is a bit of romance in there as well (light spice). You also might like this if you are interested in treasure hunting, witchcraft, or pirates. This would be the perfect book to read on vacation - high stakes, but not toooo high.

Saskia Maarleveld is the main narrator of the audio and she does a fabulous job as always.

Thank you to Park Row for a free advanced reader copy

A beautiful dual timeline story full of magic, treasure hunting, and love. I enjoyed this book very much. Sea witches? Say no more. Also the love story in this had my heart melting.

This was such an adventurous read! Told in two different timelines, each story held a unique excitement that then wove together into one overarching story. I loved the witchcraft of the past timeline and learning about the stregheria of Italian lore. The romance between Mari and Holmes was so touching and just the right amount for this type of book. It did not overshadow the greater plot but still felt valuable. And the suspense brought on by the feud with the Mazza brothers kept me reading.

The present timeline is where the adventure came in, and I was all about it! Haven's job as a nautical archaeologist, diving into the depths of the ocean in search of shipwrecks, was so captivating and definitely reinvigorated my desire to get scuba certified! Haven's passion was palpable, and the mystery of her father's secret discovery had me on the edge of my seat. The tension was almost unbearable!

The two stories came together really well. Some of the motivations and explanations of characters' behavior in the present story was a little weak in my opinion, but it wasn't enough to detract from the story as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.

Magical realism is one of my favorite subgenres (or is it its own genre now??) and this book checked every box for me. It's dual timeline, dual POV (well actually three POV because Holmes has chapters too), historical, romantic, mysterious, magical....all of the things.

Haven is a nautical archaeologist investigating shipwrecks off the Amalfi Coast, specifically where her father took his last dives before his stroke and death. She thinks there's something to be found but she's not sure what.

Flashbacks go to the other timelines of the early 1800s with Mari and her group of streghe, who use their powers to control the waters around Positano to keep it safe and to keep their economy up. Sailers and other nearby villages call it the Amalfi curse - all the vessels that get redirected, and the strange way Positano is never effected by weather, pirates, etc.

The two stories tie together perfectly and I loved every second of the story.

The best part? I read it in a pirate themed cabin on our vacation. It was absolute perfection.

A spectacular blend of historical fiction and fantasy, The Amalfi Curse had one of the most stunning settings I have read in a long time! The back and forth letters were fun and the characters were so entrancing! An absolute must-read!

THE AMALFI CURSE is a tale of blooming love, both in the past and present, set on the picturesque southwestern coast of Italy. Sarah Penner crafted a tale that seamlessly blends nautical archaeology with ancient sorcery while weaving a dual timeline that explores both the present-day search for sunken treasure and the haunting legacy of a 19th-century sea witch.

In the present day, Haven Ambrose is a nautical archaeologist who’s chasing an old shipwreck that her father discovered right before he unexpectedly died. Armed with an entire team to help explore and document the shipwrecks for the next year, her lucrative funding is pulled right out from under her-by her late father’s colleague, no less–and she has to pivot to stay on the hunt for the treasure. Searching through archives to figure out what the name of this sunken ship was, Haven uncovers a seemingly tragic love story in the form of a sailor’s journal. Holmes’ journal documents his travels, but also his forbidden love story with Mari, one of a group of a seawitches that protect their town from tragedy brought on by the sea and those sailing upon it.

Haven starts on a love story of her own with Italian dive shop owner named Enzo. Told in two timelines, Haven and Mari’s stories are woven in and out, revealing more of Mari’s struggle to protect her family and friends when a set of dangerous brothers want to take the seawitches and use them for their own profit. Haven and Mari are such strong women that stand up for themselves and those they love, and the men that love them are supportive of them in so many ways.

With its evocative setting, compelling characters, and a touch of the supernatural, The Amalfi Curse gave an enthralling journey through the depths of the Amalfi Coast—both literal and figurative. Positano was a character in its own right, both in the present day and 19th century timelines. I listened to the audiobook on Spotify Premium, and all the voice actors did an excellent job in immersing me in the story right from the start. If you enjoy magical realism, dual timelines, or just strong women at the forefront, this entertaining book is for you. This was my first book by Sarah Penner, and I’d love to read her novels in the future.