This was a sweet and entertaining short read that gives off cosy, small town vibes.

Cursed starts off at the wedding of our FMC Alessia, where she is whisked away by a mysterious stranger… enter Silas. Silas is from the land of fae and magic and believes that Alessia could be key in breaking a curse that is currently in play. Alessia, being from Manhattan has no idea what she is getting into but after meeting and helping the people from the Isle she comes to terms with the fact that magic is real, fae are real and she might actually be one of them.

As this is a pretty short read the plot and pace move very quickly in this story and you are constantly learning things about the world and magic system, pretty much at the same time as the FMC. I found Alessia to be enjoyable to read from, she is very out of her depth but stays sharp and witty while figuring out what is happening around her.

I didn’t get a lot of chemistry between her and Silas as most of the book centres on the plot rather than the relationship. I did end up rooting for them though as you learn that Alessia comes from a high profile and unloving family that basically didn’t care about her. Overall I liked this but didn’t love it, my favourite thing was the plot and probably the side characters, I’m hoping book two has more of a focus on the relationship between Silas and Alessia.

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An absolutely stunning book! If you like a fun and magical filled story with fae, curses, God's (as in Olympus). Then you will LOVE this book!
Gina LaManna's fantastic writing will have you hooked and skipping along the magical shore of the Isle that sits within Lake Superior.
I definitely recommend you grab this book, I look forward to reading the 2nd book of this series and checking out her other books as well.

Thanks for the arc NetGalley,

I was intrigued with it being a fae book,
Slow burn romance
Urban fantasy
Greek mythology

When Alessia discovers that she is the only remaining full-blooded Fae in existence, she accepts her responsibility to save the island, and everyone on it. But if Alessia can’t undo the curse holding this island hostage, then none of it will matter—because she’ll lose everything she’s come to love!

3.5 stars for me!

I thought this book shows a lot of promise for the series. The Banter was great, and the story was good. I agree with others that a lot of it felt rushed though, It felt like the author was trying to fit an entire series of events and world building into one book. I felt like the conflicts were all resolved too easily, and I wish there had been more exploring the relationship between Silas and Alessia, and seeing that relationship grown beyond a fated mates bond.

Ultimately, the book was "okay"

I enjoyed this as a start to the Court of Isles series, it had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed the feel of this world and characters. It did a great job in bringing the world-building that I was hoping for. I was invested in what was going on and used the magic element that I was wanting from this type of book. Gina LaManna wrote this perfectly and was glad it was so well done.

This book is absolutely amazing. I loved it from start to finish. This is the first fantasy book that I have read, and I'm so glad it was. I will definitely be attempting to read more books in this genre but also be reading more books by Gina Lamanna. Her way of writing is just so lovely and easy to read.

It starts with Alessia (Allie) having no control of her life and about to get married to Simon, until Silas comes along and turns her life upside down, but for the better, taking Alessia to a place where she finally feels like she belongs, somewhere she can be her true self. The truth begins to unravel as to the reason for which she was brought to the isle.

I would 100% recommend this book. Thank you to the author and NetGallery for this ARC.

Thank you so much for the EARC.

This book was so lovely, it was a really sweet and cozy fantasy experience.

It kind of gave my ACOTAR feels which I really enjoyed.

Thank you for allowing me to read.

Cursed is a delightfully charming fantasy story that brings out all the warm and happy feelings. It focuses on themes of communication, friendship, and healing. The book was enjoyable and easy to read, immersing me in a unique and magical world.

The relationships between both the main characters and the supporting ones were wonderful. The dialogue was engaging, and the characters felt well-rounded and lively. The story and its world were easy to follow, with potential for further development.

On the downside, there's a part that might seem a bit unrealistic—no first-year medical resident is that skilled. Even in a magical setting full of curses and mythical creatures, this took me out of the story. Additionally, the main character handled everything with ease, which was acknowledged in the story, but I would have liked to see more growth in her journey.

If I could give this book more stars, I would - I LOVED IT!!! IT WAS THE BEST BOOK EVER!!

I'm now a huge fangirl of Alessia - she's my favorite character

I can't believe anyone gave it less than 5 stars. This novel seamlessly blends cozy small-town vibes on a tropical island with the thrill of a spellbinding fantasy world, delivering an unforgettable story.
• A Fierce and Witty Heroine: The protagonist’s transformation from a hesitant skeptic to a fearless force is both relatable and inspiring, drawing readers into her emotional and magical journey. ⚔️
• A Darkly Charming Hero: The brooding male lead, with his layered personality and undeniable allure, adds tension and intrigue to every page. 💘
• An Enchanting but Perilous World: Brimming with mythical beings, long-lost prophecies, and forbidden magic, this tale keeps the reader guessing and yearning for more. 🦄
• A Dash of Whimsy: Picture the cozy eccentricity of Schitt’s Creek paired with a thrilling dose of the supernatural—quirky, heartfelt, and utterly magical. ✨

📚 Great For Fans Of:
• Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
• The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Stories that balance cozy mystery vibes with daring magical twists.

This book is a spellbinding escape for readers who crave a mix of heartfelt character development and edge-of-your-seat fantasy drama.

I think the series has a lot of potential. I was sucked in from the very beginning. I agree with other reviewers it was very rushed. I think the author wanted to get as much information as possible into the story, but it wasn't overwhelming. I loved Alessia. I think she's a great FMC and very spunky. I'm looking forward to seeing where this series takes us going forward.

I would put Cursed in the classic good versus evil narrative, with a straightforward plot that doesn’t stray too far from familiar fantasy tropes. The story follows a predictable structure, reminiscent of traditional fantasy epics, with occasional nods to works like The Lord of the Rings. While it delivers some enjoyable moments, the characters and storyline lacked a bit of depth, making it feel a bit one-dimensional and hindering my ability to bond with Silas and Alessia. The clear division between the heroic and villainous figures leaves little room for ambiguity or complex character development. Overall, it’s an 3 star read for those seeking a light fantasy adventure, but it may not fully satisfy anyone looking for more nuanced storytelling.

DNF 56%. 1.5 ⭐️
This book has fallen into showing not telling and even though it’s a new series, it’s in the same world as previous works from Gina. If you’re set on reading Cursed, I would recommend reading those first as the author doesn’t develop the world enough for my taste and I’m hoping it’s just because this was done in that series.
Both MCs aren’t fleshed out enough, it’s difficult to understand the characters motivations. It’s very insta love, and whenever there’s an issue Alessia just fixes it with her magic, which she’s completely new to but somehow is able to use without issue.
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

I loved the writing style. It was so readable I flew through the book in one day! Very much anticipating the sequel. Will be purchasing for libraries.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC <3

I'm going to start by saying I liked this book, it was a fun, light-hearted read following Allie is just a regular girl who finds herself thrown into an immortal realm, constantly in summer, that needs saving. I loved the concept, and the first few chapters really drew me in and filled me with hope for the book but it was just a bit too fast-paced for my liking. Sometimes it felt like we were skimming over some quite important details (like how easily she accepted her powers?? but me too I guess after reading so many romantasy books).

I loved how the MCs interacted with each other, it was a super likeable dynamic, but I just couldn't really get onboard with the pacing which is why my star rating is slightly lower. If you enjoy a quick romantasy read though, be sure to pick this us and the premise of the world is so much fun!!

2 ⭐

Arc review - I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The first few chapters of this book had me hooked, I couldn't wait to learn more about the world and the characters.

But once Alessia started coming to terms with the fact she belonged in this world and has powers is where the story takes a turn.

Overall this story felt incredibly rushed and like the author was trying to cram as many romantasy themes into the book as possible. Within 19 chapters Alessia has been captured, worked out she is magic, worked out how to heal the wards, broken the curse, accepted that she is Fae and found a mate.

I wouldn't continue this series going forward but am thankful I got to read the arc copy.

This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! Definitely worth the read!

I just finished reading Cursed by Gina LaManna, and wow—what a ride! Right from the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. The pacing was fast, and there was always something exciting happening, which kept me turning pages late into the night.

On her wedding day, the main character makes a last-minute effort to grasp control over her life. What she got was definitely not what she was expecting! She finds herself on a magical island, learning about the mysterious and captivating life of faes.

One of my favorite things about this book was how you could feel the connections brewing—not just between the main characters but also with the supporting cast, who were so well-written and genuinely enjoyable. It felt like you were getting to know them alongside the protagonist, and I loved that!

I also think Cursed is perfect for anyone just getting into fantasy. There are no confusing realms, world maps, or a slew of hard-to-pronounce creatures. It’s straightforward and approachable while still delivering all the magic and intrigue you’d want from the genre.

That said, while the book was already fast-paced and thrilling, the last chapter tried to do too much too quickly. Everything ramped up for a big finale, but I would have loved more time to savor it. It felt like a sprint when I wanted a marathon.

Even with that, I’m absolutely hooked on this series. I WILL be reading the second book because I can’t wait to see where this story goes next. If you’re looking for a book that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go, Cursed is it!

I devoured this book. Is this a mind blowing book, nope. Are there some flaws? Yep but overall this was a fun read and I was of course rooting for the shadow dark knight and our FMC. I am looking forward to the next one in the series and going back and reading some of the authors other works about The Isle.

Silas and Alessia are starting an interesting Journey. I finished this book rather quickly, mainly because I did not want to put it down. I wanted an enjoyable fantasy read and I got it. I am looking forward to where this world is going and what is to come. There is a lot of questions I have regarding the world and what will happen, but I love having a book that gives you those questions!

This was a fast-paced, quick read with some good banter and a nice magic system. On top of that it has the 'fated mates' trope which I adore! I was definitely getting 'Once Upon a Time' vibes from this. I think what really prevented me from developing a deeper connection with the characters and plot was sometimes there was a rushed feeling to it. I did like the ending though!

Thank you so much to LaManna books for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this book.