We just booked our trip to Italy for a wedding and so of course I had to read an Italy story this weekend.
Set against the dazzling coastline of Positano, The Amalfi Cure follows Haven Ambrose, a daring nautical archaeologist searching for a hidden cache of gemstones her late father once glimpsed beneath the sea. As she explores the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast, strange storms and misfortunes begin to sweep through the village. Her search leads her to uncover a centuries-old tale of forbidden love, ancient sea magic, and a curse that could doom the region. With time running out, Haven must unravel the truth behind the legendary stregheria and the fates tied to the waves.
While I loved the idea of this story—witchcraft, sunken treasure, and forbidden love under the Mediterranean sun—I found the execution a bit lacking. Like with some of Penner’s previous works, the dual timelines felt disconnected for much of the book, and honestly, each could have been its own full story. It wasn’t until the very end that I understood how everything tied together, and by then, I’d lost track of several characters simply because there were so many but also still never felt fully connected with our leads – Mari, Holomes, or Haven. In addition of the two romance plotlines, I only felt invested in one of them, and would have liked to see it end with that one.
The concept of Italian stregheria and ocean magic was unique and enchanting, but overall, the story just missed the emotional or narrative depth I was hoping for. I would really love if Penner did a singular timeline for one of her books, just to see what the impact would be.
Other Sarah Penner Reviews
AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP |★★★★
The Amalfi Curse is out now. Huge thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
