Fun fact - I’m a certified dual timeline HATER. I despise them. They almost never work for me—and yet, this one somehow worked.

Witches, sunken treasure, forbidden love, archeologist, AND a stunning setting.

I started this and finished it in less than 24 hours.

This is my first Sarah Penner book and it will not be my last. Her prose is gorgeous, she paints a lush picture that makes it easy to feel transported.

As for the dual timeline, as far as I’m concerned she’s a magician because I had no problem staying invested in both timelines and felt she really wove them together beautifully.

Definitely pick up this book if you’re a fan of…
- historical fiction
- magical realism and lighter fantasy elements
- archeologist + treasure hunts
- secrets and intrigue
- lush backdrops + vivid prose
- captivatingly woven dual timelines
- witches
- forbidden love

Thank you NetGalley, Park Row Books, and Sarah Penner for letting me read The Amalfi Curse before its April release! Beautiful cover! 😍

Fantastic dual time line fantasy, or magical realism. Enjoyed reading about each female character. And could not help but root for them. I loved the setting in Italian coast, the food, the romance and the mystery. Definitely recommend this book.

Penner is an autobuy author for me, if she writes it i'm going to read it. I absolutely loved her other books The Lost Apothecary (i never stop bragging about this book), The London Seance Society are both must reads. RUN DONT WALK. The cover and title of this book is what drew me in and the fact that Penner is an amazing author.

Haven, the protagonist, is a diver and marine archaeologist hired to research and inventory the shipwrecks of the Amalfi Coast. She is pulled away from the project by her late father's frenemy, Conrad, who is out for treasure and fame. Little does Conrad know, as Haven's father always said, "sometimes the answers aren't in the water, but out of it". Haven follows her father's clues as well as her instinct, which leads her to the truth about of Positano's past, including the lives of the Strega del mare (witches of the sea), Mari DeLuca, and her lover, Holmes Foster. The novel is told in a MPOV's format in which we follow a dual timeline with three characters. Haven, Holmes and Mari are the POV's were given.

The premise behind The Amalfi Cuse is that the unearthing of the lost artifacts, but the other main focus is also on the complex relationships among the characters. For Haven and her father, we are thrust into an emotional father-daughter relationship that is infused with raw emotion. Haven experiences a variety of emotions ranging from unspoken regret to a strong desire to fulfill the quest and her father's research.

If you love historical fiction, familial ties, and a high-stakes, intricately written storyline, then look no further than The Amalfi Curse. it is a great and magical way to escape reality even if only for a little while.

4/5 stars. Sarah Penner's "The Amalfi Curse" masterfully weaves together two compelling timelines, each equally engaging and well-crafted. The main character, Haven, is particularly well-developed, with her narrative complementing each of the others throughout the story. Penner demonstrates considerable skill in managing dual timelines, ensuring both storylines maintain reader interest while contributing meaningfully to the overall story.

The novel's rich Italian setting and maritime elements provide an atmospheric backdrop that enhances the storytelling. While the ending could have provided more resolution to certain plot threads, the conclusion ultimately proves satisfying. One minor critique concerns the character of Conrad, whose presence I felt was somewhat superfluous and at times unnecessary.

Special mention must be made of the book's cover design, which beautifully captures the essence of the story.

“The Amafi Curse” by Sarah Penner follows two timelines, in one timeline is the coven of sea witches who protects the Amalfi Coast. The other timeline takes place in present day, where archaeologist, Haven Ambrose, looks for sunken treasures around the region. The writing was fantastic, Penner made me feel like I was really on the Amafi Coast, and after reading this book, I now really want to visit. The switching of timelines was executed well an easy to follow while building the suspense.
Thank you to NetGallery and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I was seeing lots of people loving this one so I had to give it a try. I had it on netgalley for a while and forgot what it was about so I decided to go in blind. It was slow to start for me….and I really just couldn't connect with the story. I wanted to love this one but ultimately, it wasn't for me! I did love the setting of Positano on the Amalfi Coast. I thought the seaside town was perfect. I think the writing was excellent, but it was just the pacing that didn't grab me. I do think others that enjoy historical fiction/fantasy could really love this one. I'm sad it didn't work for me. I really wanted to love it myself.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

This book is a gripping blend of historical mystery and contemporary drama. Penner weaves an intricate tale of secrets, curses, and redemption set against the picturesque yet haunting backdrop of the Amalfi Coast. The dual timelines, compelling characters, and vivid descriptions create an immersive experience for readers. With its twists and emotional depth, this novel is a must-read for fans of atmospheric fiction.

What an amazing, complex, beautiful, fantastical love story.!! Or should I say double or dare I say triple love story. Mesmerizing!!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
This is an exciting story of magic and lost ships. Haven Ambrose, who is a nautical archaeologist, has arrived on the cliffs of Positano to dive and search mysterious shipwrecks. As she explores, she unlocks a long-ago tale of magic and sorcery. I liked this book, but I wish the author would have connected the two timelines a little sooner. For a while I felt like I was reading two distinct stories. Then the author came through and wove the stories together. This made the story better. I have read all of Sarah Penner's books and I like the way she brings a little magic into all of her stories. For me, she is a have to read author. Her books are always a welcome surprise.

I am dreaming of Italian beaches after reading this heartwarming novel that takes place on the Amalfi coast. I have never wanted to insert myself into a setting so badly. The way Penner is able to describe the setting and weave the story helped me feel like I was there. I loved the dual timelines between Mari and Haven. This allows you to see multiple perspectives in the novel while also learning important historical events. This would be the perfect beach read while sipping on some limoncello or snuggled up on your coach with a cappuccino. Once again, Penner has written a remarkable story that leaves your feeling optimistic and wanting more. I didn't want this book to end.

“The Amalfi Curse” ~ A Bewitching Tale of Sunken Treasure, Forbidden Love, and Ancient Magic on the Amalfi Coast 🌀🏴‍☠️🔮🤿🐠🌊
by Sarah Penner

🩵Release Date : April 29th 2025

“Along a dark seashore beneath the cliffside village of Positano, twelve women, aged six to forty-four, were seated in a circle. It was two o’clock in the morning, the waxing moon directly overhead.”

⭐️5.0


I know I’m obsessed with a book when I start googling “Myths & Legends of the Amalfi Coast “ lol 😂 so obsessed!!
There’s so much lore about unexplained shipwrecks and Greek mythology, witchcraft. Including the legend of the sirens(sea witches ) who are said to have lured sailors or pirates to their doom.

This story intertwines past and present (multiple POVS ) with the backdrop of the beautiful Amalfi Coast and Positano. Makes you want to travel there! There’s mystery, witchcraft , lores , love and loss. Such an intriguing story that I couldn’t stop reading!

In the 1800’s “Mari “ a red~headed “Sea Witch” with her coven of fellow witches who are trying to protect their home from pirates. Their magical gift is the ability to or manipulate the ocean. There’s also a touching love story between Mari and a crew member on a pirate ship.

“Haven “ is a present day nautical archaeologist who travels to Positano to fulfill her father's dream of recovering treasure from shipwrecks off the Amalfi Coast. Strange things start occurring and Haven is thrown into uncovering the mystery surrounding the unexplained shipwrecks.

I can’t say how much I really enjoyed this story and how immersed I was in this world and wanted to know more about it!
This is my first book by Sarah and I really excited to read more from her!
I would highly recommend this wonderful book!! 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

Thank you NetGalley and HTP for the E-arc in exchange for my honest feedback.

This book has it all: Multiple timelines, witchcraft, a beautiful location, a strong female nautical archaeologist as the lead, a historical mystery. I'm new to Sarah Penner's work but really loved the way she wove the story together across the timelines. Some parts of the present day story felt a bit disjointed (I would have loved to meet the rest of her dive team at least briefly for example) but overall I really thought this was paced well and the mystery was revealed in a satisfying way throughout the book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this one!

This was a very atmospheric blend of history and magic, making me feel like I was uncovering secrets alongside the characters. The dual timelines kept me hooked, though I found myself more invested in one storyline over the other. The ending left me craving just a bit more resolution too but maybe that’s part of its charm!! Will be a great summer read.

Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc.

This was an enjoyable read. The different points of view worked well and I liked the time jump from past to present. There was a satisfying amount of mystery and a dash of romance. Can't beat the setting of the story either, took me back to my Amalfi coast trip. It wrapped up nicely, although a little underwhelming. Overall fun read.

《 ARC REVIEW 》

"They were streghe del mare—sea witches— with unparalleled power over the ocean. They boasted a magic found nowhere else in the world, a result of their lineage, having descended from the sirens who once inhabited the tiny Li Galli islets nearby."

☆☆☆☆.5

I just finished reading The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner, and this is easily one of my favorites of the year so far! 😍

This book has a dual timeline following Haven Ambrose in present-day and Mari DeLuca in 1821 in the small Italian village of Positano on the Amalfi coast. Haven is a nautical archeologist who finds and researches shipwrecks, and Mari is a strega, a witch who can harness the power of the ocean.

I thought this book was beautifully written, and was fast-paced and gripping. It's also such an atmospheric read, and I loved the descriptions of the land, water, and food! However, I felt like the ending was a bit rushed, but it still wrapped everything up decently!

This was my first book by Penner, but it will not be my last! Also, I will definitely be trying the recipes at the end because they sound divine!

This book gets released on April 29th, and is available to pre-order now!

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

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#theamalficurse #sarahpenner #newbookalert #bookreview #advancedreadercopy #magicalrealism #magical #htpbooks #harlequintradepublishing #hiveinfluencer #htphive

"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...

Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea."

Maybe the witches want the jewels for themselves.....

From sun soaked shores to centuries old secrets, The Amalfi Curse pulled me into a dual timeline mystery so vivid I felt like I was uncovering the truth alongside the characters. Now I desperately need a trip to Italy. BRB, planning my Amalfi Coast getaway ASAP!

I loved everything about this book. The way the story unfolded across two timelines, the 1820s and the present day, the seamless transitions between perspectives from Mari, Holmes, and Haven, and the richly immersive setting. Penner’s descriptions of the Amalfi Coast made the whole story feel cinematic, from the sun drenched beaches to the eerie depths of the sea.

We also learn about streghe, witches of the sea who can control water. It was such a different take on magic, and I loved learning about their history and how it intertwined with the present day mystery.

Another fascinating part of the story was the history. Haven goes on a few dives to check out sunken ships, but where she gains the most knowledge is in the archives. It is when she makes the discovery of a journal that everything changes. We are not just reading its entries in the present. We are also switching perspectives to experience them in real time. It was such iconic storytelling that kept me hooked.

Ever since The Lost Apothecary, every new Sarah Penner book announcement will elicit audible excitement from me. Needless to say, I went into this book with high expectations despite not reading the description. I could not have been more excited as I was introduced to the exceptional plot and the fascinating characters. I can not wait to force everyone I know to read another Penner book about painfully realistic, relatable, and wonderful character being thrown into the most engaging, whimsical scenarios. Five (hundred) stars.

The Amalfi Curse was such a fun, engaging, and unique read! I’d consider it a “historical fantasy” — not a genre I typically reach for, but I was completely swept up in the story. I loved the dual timelines, the well-developed characters, and the theme of strong, influential women woven throughout. The Amalfi Coast setting added a lush, atmospheric backdrop, and the underlying themes of family, love, and legacy were beautifully done.

This was my first book by this author, and I’m excited to check out her backlist now. We’ll definitely be adding this title to our library collection — it’s a great recommendation for readers looking for something immersive and fresh. Perfect for a rainy day binge read or to savor slowly over summer break.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early copy in exchange for my honest review.