Having been a fan of The Lost Apothecary, I was so excited to have been approved for an ARC The Amalfi Curse. This book definitely lived up to expectations!

The Amalfi Curse follows both a present and past timeline which are both seamlessly intertwined to tell a story that encompasses elements of fiction, history, and magic.

I have sometimes felt that the past/present writing style causes one timeline to be less intriguing than the other but Sarah Penner did a wonderful job with this book in ensuring that both timelines are equally engaging. Definitely recommend reading this book!

Haven is a nautical archeologist in charge of a team investing shipwrecks off the Amalfi Coast. She hopes to find gemstones her father spotted there on his last dive. Misfortunes seem to plague the area, and more she digs into the past, the more she learns of the magical ability to harness the ocean practiced by women in the area centuries ago. Is this the curse that is haunting Positano today?

Thoughts 💭
This is a perfect summer read. The picturesque Amalfi Coast, a strong female nautical archeologist, sea witches, pirates, and sunken treasure, all told with then/now timelines. There was a lot of action both historically and now with the timelines intertwining how I imagined. I enjoyed reading this, my only complaint is I wished the timelines intercepted a little more. I was a little more interested in the present-day treasure hunting aspect, and I felt like that took a back seat to the sea witch story in the past. This was still a fun read that told the stories of two strong women.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a story of magic and witchcraft, sunken treasure and hidden secrets. Told in alternating timelines and set in Positano Italy, this had all the makings to be a great story. The Amalfi Curse is what the townspeople have called the reasoning behind ships sinking for no apparent reason, and Haven has just witnessed a ship go down with her own eyes, with no known cause. She is a treasure hunter, set to dive down and recover a centuries only shipwreck, when she is removed from the team. With no backing, she takes matters into her own hands and aims to recover the treasures herself. In 1821, Mari and her fellow witches are being hunted, and there seems to be no escape.

I enjoyed bits and pieces of this one, and am sad that i didn’t love it more. I felt it was a bit slow, and haven didn’t really grow on me as a character. I really enjoyed the past timeline with Mari and that’s what really kept me reading the story. I also enjoyed how the timelines came together!

Penner has done another amazing job of weaving a historical tale with the present day and connecting the two by the end of the book. This one follows Streghe in Positano who can control the ocean with a present-day maritime archaeologist. Loved everything about it.

With a cover like this, one cannot resist. It's absolutely stunning! The story had my attention from the very beginning. The timeline alternates between 1821 and now weaving together an intricate story of curses, romance, and treasure hunting. The plot continues to build and makes it unputdownable. It's both adventurous and romantic. Not to mention that it has one of the best settings, the Amalfi Coast. I typically avoid books that refer to witchcraft, so I debated on reading this, but overall I felt ok with how it's portrayed. I cannot get over how much I loved this story!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Amalfi Curse
by Sarah Penner
Pub DATE: April 29, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Powerful witchcraft. A hunt for sunken treasure. Forbidden love on the high seas. Beware the Amalfi Curse…
I loved this adventure!!
This is my favorite Sarah Penner book and that says a lot as I loved her debut… THE LOST APOTHECARY!!!


The two timelines are 1821 and the present day. Penner weaves them together perfectly!! The three narrators are Mari, Holmes and Haven in the present day

Mari and her friends keep the pirates and other bad people out of Positano by using their incantations in the water. They are witches!!! Mari is conflicted as the water has taken so much from her and she needs to decide on her future.

Haven is a nautical archaeologist and is in Positano for a year to search for the shipwrecks in the Li Galli. Haven also has a few secrets that she is hiding.

I highly recommend

Sarah Penner's third book, The Amalfi Curse, is a breathtaking tale that is told in two time periods. In 1821, the streghe (sea witches) of Positano, Italy, women who can control the tides, find themselves and Positano in danger from crooked seafaring traders.The women's leader, 21-year-old Mari, puts her own life in danger to find the village's women who have been kidnapped by the marauders, while she is secretly planning to leave Positano to be with her sailor lover. In current times, nautical archaeologist Haven is about to lead a team to investigate shipwrecks along the Amalfi coast, hoping to find a hidden treasure viewed by her diver father before his unexpected death. After the project is unjustly assigned to someone else, Haven stays in Positano, determined to carry on her own research, and aided by Enzo, an attractive dive shop owner, Enzo's mother is able to provide Haven with some information about the history of stregheria in the area.

I found the story less interesting than those told in the author's first two books, The Lost Apothecary and The London Seance Society, as adventure and treachery takes center stage, to the detriment of character development and relationships. The two romances get short shrift, and Haven's part of the story is not as fleshed out as it could have been. However, Penner's signature writing style and expressive language, especially in the description of Positano, make the book solidly entertaining and ensure it that will inevitably be appreciated by the author's legions of fans.

My thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

This book captures Positano in such a beautiful way, and to be able to read Penner's descriptions of these stunning cliffside villas while looking around at them was something I'll never forget. What a sparkling, fantastical reimagining of this extraordinary village's history. Penner's writing was as lovely and soothing as Positano's brilliantly blue waters. I can't recommend picking up this one enough. Out 04/29!!!

Well written story of loss, responsibility, resilience, and triumph. The story of Mira and Holmes unfolds through Haven’ research while she is working on Project Relic. It’s evident the amount of time and dedication that went into this book. There is a bit of a learning curve initially with terms and curses the sea witches use. There is a reference before the story begins that was helpful with that. The dual points of view and dual times added depth to the story and characters. What I enjoyed the most was the strength and resilience both Mira and Haven showed throughout the book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

4.5 stars. The Amalfi Curse is about discovering your purpose in the face of challenges and staying true to yourself even when outside forces (people, circumstance) try to control or change you.

I did really enjoy this book. The romance was minimal, it was a beautiful love story about Mari and Homes and everything they had to overcome. But it was also a touching story about sisterhood. It tells the story of how when women come together they can do incredible things, even when they face seemingly insurmountable challenges.

I loved the flashback storyline. I almost wish the whole story was about Mari and Homes and the streghe. The present day story felt a bit rushed and almost like it was built as a device to tell the old story, and less organic and authentic. It had some really great elements, like the parallels between the streghe and the female dove crew, and even the mystery of the yacht crash was gripping. But the situations with Conrad and Enzo’s mom both felt rushed at their resolutions.

TL;DR - really enjoyable story with great characters and gorgeous depiction of Positano. Not quite as good as The Lost Apothecary, but would definitely recommend.

Title: The Amalfi Curse
Author: Sarah Penner
Genre: Fiction, historical fiction  
Rating: 5 out of 5

Powerful witchcraft. A hunt for sunken treasure. Forbidden love on the high seas. Beware the Amalfi Curse…

Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts beneath the azure waters; 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. Is it nature or something more sinister at work?

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 was an excellent read! I loved the setting; it sounded so beautiful. Both the main characters, Haven and Mari, are strong women trapped (to some extent) by circumstance beyond their control but determined to do whatever necessary to make things right. The characters are vibrant, and I was invested in what happened to them.

 Sarah Penner is a bestselling author. The Amalfi Curse is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Park Row in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 4/29).

3.5 Stars

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Positano and the islets of Li Galli, The Amalfi Curse weaves a tale of hidden treasure, magic, and love that spans centuries. I was hooked from the very beginning, drawn in by its atmospheric descriptions and dual timelines that seamlessly intertwine.

In the present day, nautical archaeologist Haven arrives in Positano to investigate shipwrecks, following in her late father’s footsteps. The area is known for its treacherous waters and mysterious sea disturbances, often attributed to an ancient curse. But as she delves deeper, Haven uncovers far more than she expected—a long-lost treasure, a forgotten love story, and a history laced with magic.

In the 1800s, a group of women known as streghe—sea witches—use their powers to protect their village from pirates and invading ships. Their young leader, Mari, wrestles with her connection to the sea, torn between duty and the love she dreams of pursuing. When outsiders discover their secret, Mari is forced to make an impossible choice that will change her life forever.

I absolutely loved how the novel transported me to Italy. The writing was incredibly vivid, making me feel like I was standing on a sun-drenched terrace with the scent of salt in the air. Though I’ve never been to the Amalfi Coast, this book made me want to book a flight immediately. The blend of history, folklore, and nautical archaeology was fascinating, especially the details about shipwreck exploration and diving. The magical realism—rooted in Italian traditions of stregheria—added an enchanting layer, making me wonder if the curse of Li Galli might be real after all.

However, there were a few elements that kept this from being a full five stars for me. The romance in both timelines felt a bit rushed—I wanted to experience the slow burn rather than be told that love had already bloomed. Haven’s antagonist also appeared too suddenly, without enough buildup to make the conflict feel truly gripping. Additionally, while I appreciated the depth of research, there were sections bogged down with nautical terminology (I never thought I’d read the word jib so many times!). And a personal pet peeve—I hadn’t realized how much it would bother me to see the Mediterranean repeatedly referred to as “the ocean”… but it’s not an ocean!

That said, these were minor hiccups in an otherwise spellbinding novel. At its core, The Amalfi Curse is a story about fate, resilience, and the treasures we find in friendship, family, and love. Fans of historical fiction, magical realism, and atmospheric settings will find plenty to enjoy.

I really tried to like this book. But I found the two different timelines very confusing. It was hard to keep up with. I found myself very confused while reading this book.

4.5 stars!!!!

I absolutely LOVED The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner!!!! This book has it all: girlhood, romance, witches, buried treasure and mystery!!!

First, we’re introduced to Mari, a powerful streghe del mare, or sea witch, and her community. Mari has a complicated relationship with the sea and is planning to leave behind her life in Positano and as a streghe. But when one day something goes horribly on the coast of Positano, Mari and her community are put in grave danger. Mari must choose between her community’s safety and her secret desires.

Then, we meet Haven, a nautical archaeologist - basically she researches ship wrecks (and any buried treasures along with them). Haven is in Italy for a once in a lifetime opportunity - to dive Li Galli and discover the true mysteries behind la Maledizione Amalfitana, the Amalfi Curse. Haven at her core is a researcher, a scientist, based in facts - so she isn’t one to believe in wild theories, but when strange activity begins near Li Galli, Haven wonders if there’s some truth behind the legend of the Amalfi Curse.

The Amalfi Curse alternates POVs and timelines seamlessly that build to a satisfying ending. I was at the edge of my seat, desperate to uncover the mysteries of Li Gali and the Amalfi Coast!

While I adore Sarah Penner’s first two books, there is something even more magical about The Amalfi Curse. Sarah Penner captured the beauty and atmosphere of the Amalfi coast so well in this book. I was completely transported both to Italy and back in time while reading each POV.

If you’re looking for an atmospheric adventure with witches and romance, look no further than The Amalfi Curse!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review! And thank you Sarah Penner for another wonderful book - your fantastical stories never disappoint!

Ok, ok. I finally “get” Sarah Penner and I’m mad it took me three tries to do so. I’d tried to read The Lost Apothecary and I couldn’t get past the first third. Same with The London Seance Society. Neither worked for me (at the time), but I was determined. All of her blurbs sound as though the book is tailor-made for me, I just kept running out of patience waiting for something to happen. With The Amalfi Curse, I powered through the admittedly slow start. Penner’s writing is good and I was enjoying each of the timelines, though to varying degrees.

But finally, about halfway through the book, the real mystery and tension started and then book “clicked” for me. Finally. And I finally “get” Sarah Penner, whole heartedly. She is the slowest of slow burn setups, so sink in and enjoy the setting and atmosphere for what it is. Get to know the characters at her pace, and watch her set up story threads. Because once she switches into the latter part of the plot, you’ll be swept along.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row and to Netgalley for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

4.5/5 stars

🌊 I absolutely adored this historical romantasy (yes, I’m claiming that term because it perfectly captures the vibe!). This book has so many things I love—past and present timelines, a breathtaking Amalfi Coast setting, sea witches with siren origins, magic, sunken treasure, romance, kidnapping, murder, and scuba diving (just to name a few!). And wow, did it deliver.

🌊 Sarah Penner’s prose is stunningly immersive, with such vivid descriptions that I felt transported straight to Italy’s coast. If you know my reading habits, you know I exclusively read romantasy and rarely pick up books set in our world. But I am so glad I made an exception for this one because… I. Am. Obsessed. And it was so worth it.

🌊 A dual timeline with a touch of historical fiction? Chef’s kiss. Multiple POVs? Flawless. A story woven around powerful women across both timelines? Absolute perfection. The plot twists had me gasping out loud, and the way the past and present intertwined was masterfully executed. I didn’t want it to end—I needed more!

🌊 As a diver, I was especially captivated by the scuba diving elements. The level of detail was immaculate, making me feel like I was right back in the water. Penner is an artist with words.

🌊 Huge thanks to Sarah Penner for this mesmerizing, magical read—I already know it’s going to stay with me for a long time. Thank you Harper Collins for the free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

This book is a dual timeline with Haven a model day marine archeologist and Mari a sea witch from the past. The story had so many different moving parts, but I really liked the magical realism aspects the best. The characters felt a little disjointed to me so I had trouble really connecting with any of them. In the end, both timelines come together in a way that left me satisfied with the ending.

After having enjoyed The Lost Apothecary, I was thrilled to receive this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The same elements were there (duel time line, personal problems in each time line, women battling dominant men, etc.) along with mysterious happenings in both time lines, but somehow this one didn’t work for me even though I have recently become quite interested in ancient shipwrecks and their salvage/plunder.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Park Row for this early readers copy.

A Million Stars! ⭐️

What a beautifully crafted story of love, intrigue and history! An excellent read with powerful insights and amazing characters.

This has to be made into a movie!

I can’t wait to order the fanciest version of the book and have Sarah Penner sign it in person! I also want to hear about the incredible research done for this book.

A must read!


Thanks to Netgalley and Park Row.

Since I loved The Lost Apothecary and The London Seance Society, I just had to read The Amalfi Curse. Once again, Sarah Penner delivered a magical, original, intriguing book. It started a little slow, but it didn't take long to start rolling and drawing me in. Told in alternating timelines, which is a frequently used tool by authors now, we have a story set in the 1820s about a group of Italian "Sea Witches" and a current-day American nautical archaeologist, Haven, who has come to Positano to research shipwrecks and do some treasure hunting. The weaving of the stories is appealing and arresting. 4-1/2 stars

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.