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.

Definitely recommend if you’re in the need of a bit of escapism. It has a shadowy MMC for those that love them and is quite fast paced if that’s your vibe

The story follows a rather ordinary girl who finds herself thrown into the role of saving an immortal realm teetering on the brink of collapse - the premise is charming and fast-tracks one into a magical world full of mythical creatures and ancient curses.

With the opening scene-a runaway bride whisked away to some mysterious island-it's undeniably catchy, building up a good premise for what could be a great journey. But as the story moves on, it does so in a pace that makes it hard to develop its world and characters. Although I loved the banter between the two main characters.

Nevertheless, this read will still satisfy those readers who enjoy escapist fiction, but it was a missed opportunity to try for something a bit more layered.

This is a good choice for readers seeking a light, fast read with a dash of magic and adventure. For readers who prefer more complex world-building or surprising plot twists, this may not be as satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
#cursed #NetGalley

This was a quick, fun read. There was some fun banter, and the characters were interesting. The plot felt rushed in some areas, but overall was fun enough to keep interest in what's going on. It's light and humorous, so it makes for a good palate cleanser for someone who reads a lot of dark/high fantasy books. If you're looking for that, then this book is not for you.

For me the book was a little bit rushed. And also sometimes I felt that it trapped into telling and not showing the story. I truly think this novel had a lot of potential. Perhaps the series other books will be less rushed.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was an ok read for me. The reason why I didn’t click with this book is that it felt rushed and face paced. But that’s probably just a me thing. I love slow burn, and I like details to not hit me in the face back to back.

It’s somewhat of a cozy fantasy with a shadow daddy. This isn’t going to be a top read for me unfortunately because it just didn’t capture my attention. It took me a minute to get through the book because I wasn’t interested in it.

🪄 What if Gilmore Girls met a magical, cursed island?
Alessia “Allie” Wells is a woman of logic and science—she doesn’t believe in fairy tales or magic. That is, until her wedding day, when a darkly irresistible stranger crashes her nuptials and whisks her away to a mysterious island. 🏝️✨

Now, Allie finds herself in a world of enchanting creatures and ancient secrets. The island is dying, bound by a curse that only a Fae can break. But Fae? They’re just myths... right?

As truths unravel, Allie discovers she’s more than she ever imagined: the last full-blooded Fae. The fate of the island and its people rests on her shoulders, but breaking the curse means risking everything—including her heart. ❤️‍🔥

🌟 What to Expect:
• A sassy, skeptical heroine who discovers her true power. 🗡️
• A brooding, swoon-worthy hero who’ll steal your heart. 😏
• Magical creatures, ancient curses, and dangerous secrets. 🕊️
• A story full of Gilmore Girls charm—with a sprinkle of magic! 🌌

📚 Perfect for fans of:
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
• The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
• Small-town charm with high-stakes fantasy twists.

#Cursed #CourtOfIsles #FantasyRomance #MagicalIslands #FaeMagic #GilmoreGirlsVibes #RomanticFantasy #MustReadFantasy #BookishEscape #GinaLaManna

First of all, this was my first ever ARC copy, so I'm very grateful to the author and the publisher. This was also my first read by Gina LaManna, and I'm glad to say I didn't hate her writing.

I liked the first chapter, and what it promised, but everything after that started to happen so fast, so soon, I didn't have time to get to know any of the characters. I liked that we had a variety of creatures in this book, I also liked some of the banter between the MCs, but overall, I didn't love the story as much as I was hoping.

I'm sorry to say I didn't like the MFC either, She was either whining about her oh so rich life or easily accepting she had some magic out of nowhere, and not guessing she could be a fae.

Besides, as a "forever autumn/winter" type of girlie, diving into an isle where it's forever summer, felt... exhausting.

This said, I'm glad I met the author through this book, will probably give some of her books a chance!

Allie Wells is a woman of science, she does not believe in magic but she is also trapped in a life that is mapped out by controlling parents and fiancé. So when on her wedding day she is magically stollen away it takes just a bit of believing to make things happen.
This was a short but engaging read. I loved the characters and the easy flowing story and now am looking forward to what this author does with the next book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

This book has it all. Magic, found family/home, banter and fated mates! The world building was great and the character background was great as well. The story takes place on The Isle and after some research I learned that this isn’t the first book or series the author wrote about this world. Saying that, this book did read as its own series and I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything since I haven’t read the other books.

Alessia was struggling to feel like she belonged in her life in New York, she was about to marry a real jerk when Silas shows up and takes her to the Isle. She learns about magic and the fact that she is fae and can use magic herself. Silas is the protector and hold all the answers Alessia needs. She finds herself at home on the Isle and finally feels like she belongs somewhere. She makes friends along the way and then has to learn how to save them.

This story was quick but honestly I loved that it was so blunt at times. The problems weren’t dragged out for chapters at a time and it was a nice change from the usual fantasy I read.

This story does end with a HEA and really leaves you wanting more.

This was a quick read that's on the shorter side and gives off Once Upon A Time vibes. It felt like a cozy fantasy with some shadow daddy elements. I really enjoyed this. It had everything that I love about fairy tales and fantasy, but in a lighter story. I loved Silas and Alessia. Their banter was so good, the tension was palpable, and the chemistry between them felt so real. I loved how they pushed each other and wholeheartedly believed in their goodness. We got to learn just enough about them to move this story forward, and I can't wait to learn more as the series progresses. The Isle sounds like such a magical place, and if I could figure out a way to get there, I would. The side characters in this story are so fun. I personally cannot wait to find out more about the tension between Atlas and Mollie.

I can't wait to return to The Isle.

<i>Cursed</i> by Gina LaManna offers an engaging, light-hearted dip into the world of fantasy, filled with Fae, mermaids, and a colorful array of magical creatures. The story kicks off with a lively runaway bride scene that immediately grabs your attention and sets an adventurous tone. It's a fun, whimsical start that promises a lot.

The plot revolves around a "regular human" girl thrust into the role of saving an immortal world from impending doom—a trope that, while familiar, can still be enjoyable. Though the story delivers a decent dose of escapism, it doesn't stray far from the beaten path of fantasy storytelling, making it feel predictable at times.

While the book is a good read overall, it doesn't quite break new ground. The runaway bride opening remains the standout moment, with the rest of the story moving through the motions of fantasy fare without any truly surprising twists. That said, fans of magical worlds and mythical creatures will find plenty of charm in its pages.

If you're in the mood for a light, fantastical adventure with a touch of romance, <i>Cursed</i> could be worth a read.

Short but good. I really liked the Magic & Mixology series and was happy to read this one. Can’t wait for the rest!