This book!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After telling my husband about the first few chapters, we decided to rea the book together. It is an epic story that we both cannot wait to read the continuation of. The FMC is relatable, snarky, and wonderfully bratty. The MMC is reserved, a gorgeous mystery, and full of surprises. The storyline has a slow burn feel for romance, an adventure plot build, and a mythical world inside an everyday real world feel. The only disappointment we could find with this book was ending and realizing we are going to have to wait to find out what happens next, in the next book.

Thanks to NetGalley & Victory Editing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a very heartwarming read really focusing on the main character Alessia as she finds herself and her place in this new world she is taken to on her wedding day by a mysterious man she feels drawn to. (Definitely reminiscent of the wedding day where Feyre is whisked away by Rhysand but also a little bit of Howl's moving castle too!) Overall I did enjoy the book but it definitely felt very fast paced and there wasn't a lot of down time to just sit and enjoy this new world and the people she meets. The romance also felt a bit lacking; I would have liked a bit more banter or more time developing their connection (and also more spice tbh). I'm excited to see where the author takes us next!

Cursed was definitely a cozy little quick read. It’s very light on 🌶️ but still didn’t feel like it was absolutely needed so wasn’t missing out.

There seemed to be a lot going on within the story as far as the paranormal aspect of it with a mixture of mythology, magic and fae systems. I would recommend Cursed as a great plate cleanser if you’re looking for something sweet and refreshing!

This was a fast and pleasant read. I have read the earlier series about the Isle (Magic & Mixology) and the 6th Borough (Hex Files) so the island and the people are not new to me.

Alessia Wells escapes her wedding when a handsome man appears and gives her an out. She arrives on The Isle where magic is everywhere. As a doctor and with emerging magic Alessia finds a place there. Silas, the man that brought her there, knows Alessia is there to help the Isle beat a vicious curse that threatens the Isle and all inhabitants.

The story is rather short, especially if you take into account the other series where the plot played out over several installments. But I liked Alessia and the others and it was an engaging read.

I received an ARC via Netgalley but bought a digital copy of my own.

I can't wait to read the rest of the series. It was a short read which is great to break up long stories. I enjoyed the dynimaics between characters and the easy ability to tell who is who, which is surprisingly difficult in some stories for me. I would definietly recommend this book.

THis felt like a Harry potter retelling but with Fae and a woman. I absolutely devoured this. When I read the synopsis I was hesitant that it was another knockoff Potter book, but I read it and it was pretty good, This wasn't anything like most books before and it was pretty good!

https://amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2SIYLOF2ABTRV?ref=pf_ov_at_pdctrvw_srp
Cursed!
This is a spin off of The Isle. Alessia and Silas are the main characters. If you love romance with a little bit of kidnapping and a heavy dose of dangerous male, this is the book for you. Highly recommend this book, a page turner.

As Allie Wells stands at the alter on her wedding day, she only has one wish. She just wants someone to save her from having to marry Simon. Silas shows up and whisks her away to a magical island. The only issue is that she doesn’t believe in magic. Silas tries to ease her into understanding who she is and why she is the only one that is able to save the isle and all the creatures on it. They are quickly running out of time and she has to truly believe to access the power that lies within herself.

This was a nice book to read in between other things. it was fast paced and straight to the point. I didn't like Alessia's family or fiancé and I enjoyed getting to watch her become happier and feel like she belonged somewhere as the story developed.

I enjoyed Silas and Alessia's dynamic more towards the middle to end of the story. I felt like Alessia was just a bit stubborn at times. She was so miserable in her previous life, why not take a leap of faith for a new start? I do feel like she went a bit quick from being wary about everything to then being in love with Silas.

I enjoyed her encounters with various magical creatures such as the siren and the unicorn. I think that added a bit dynamic to the story and world building in general. It was easy to imagine all of them living in the same general area somewhat peacefully to an extent.

I'm honestly quite surprised by how many reviews are labeling it as similar to ACOTAR. I didn't get that feeling at all, even despite the similar wedding scenario.

Overall, it was a quick read that kept me entertained throughout the book and I enjoyed it. Thank you to Netgalley, LaManna Books, and Gina LaManna for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

Cursed offers a fresh take on fantasy by blending Fae lore with elements of Greek mythology, creating a unique and intriguing premise. The story follows Alessia "Allie" Wells, a runaway bride who discovers she is the last living Fae and the only one capable of breaking a deadly curse on a magical island. While the concept is undeniably compelling, the execution feels uneven at times.

The book is slow-paced for much of the story, which allows for detailed world-building and character development, but the ending feels rushed, making it difficult to fully appreciate the climax. Additionally, some moments come across as a bit cheesy, which detracts from the emotional weight of the narrative.

Despite these flaws, Cursed still shines in its imaginative plot and the clever incorporation of Greek mythology into a Fae-inspired world. Fans of fantasy with romantic and mythological twists may still find this a worthwhile read, even if it doesn’t quite live up to its full potential.

A magical, fast-paced delight with a hint of ACOTAR and Once Upon A Time. Interrupted weddings, mystical islands and a fae who doesn’t believe in magic. My kind of fantasy in a nutshell.

“To be accepted and loved, to bask in such a plain and wonderful gift. It cost zero dollars and cents, required no promises or lavish extravagances. I only wished I had longer to savour it.”

Alessia is a doctor, from a socialite family, expected to marry a man she doesn’t truly love, simply to keep up with the image her parents expect of her. Allie has never felt that she belonged. That is, until the pivotal moment of her wedding day is interrupted by somebody mysterious, dark and handsome.

Whisked away to a magical island, it takes no time at all for Alessia to feel at home. She just needs to adjust to the idea of magic first. And the encroaching curse that threatens to wipe everybody out.

This book was such an easy read. Allie is accompanied by her mysterious kidnapper, Silas who helps her to understand the magical world that had been hidden from her, whilst showing her some home truths. As the story progresses, it becomes a love story for the ages. Until tragedy strikes, and Alessia begins to understand her purpose.

“I only knew that I’d found my place and my person, only to have them both torn away from me.”

Silas was by far my favourite character and I can’t wait to see more of him in the rest of the series. He still remains a mystery, seemingly having one purpose; to uplift and support Alessia.

“Yes, you are powerful.” Silas said. “Beyond powerful, but the power is inside you because your heart is deserving of it. Your spirit is deserving. The kind of magic you have is special and rare, and it isn’t given by the universe freely.”

I really enjoyed Cursed. It had all of what I want from a fantasy. I couldn’t give it 5 stars because I was left with so many unanswered questions. Bring on the rest of the series!

Thank you NetGalley and LaManna Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

First of all I would like to thank Netgalley and the free copy of the book.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this book. I really loved the premise and some moments of the characters, but overall I felt like the characters were all over the place and that there was a lot of information but it wasn't developed. I stopped reading this book at 60% and at this point a lot of the answers that should have been answered still weren't.

I’d definitely recommend this book if you enjoyed the tv series “once upon a time” because it was really giving these vibes for some reason I can’t explain 😆 Also if you enjoyed the wedding scene in ACOMAF (if you know, you know) then also give this book a try!

This was an enjoyable read, it was giving cozy fantasy with some shadow daddy aspects. A woman is taken on her wedding day to a mysterious world full of magic and curses. I won’t say anymore to spoil the plot.

The book is on the shorter side and fast paced which I enjoyed because sometimes fantasy genre books just take soooo long to get through and I loved being able to read this in one sitting. If you are looking for an easy read and a pallet cleanser give this a try!

Thank you to LaManna Books and Gina LaManna for the EARC!

Publish date - January 1st (out now)

If I had to sum up Cursed in one sentence, it would be: a witty, modern twist on fantasy clichés that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still manages to pack an emotional punch.

The book kicks off with a bang—Chapter 1 is basically a modern-day spin on A Court of Mist and Fury’s infamous wedding chapter, complete with snarky humor and self-aware commentary. From the very beginning, this book had me laughing out loud as it gently poked fun at both fantasy tropes and modern-day quirks (Harry Potter references, anyone?).

One of my favorite aspects was how the curse in the story was portrayed. It’s not just a vague, looming evil that needs to be defeated—it’s an almost sentient, layered thing desperately fighting to survive. It’s a refreshing twist that adds depth without becoming overly complicated. I couldn’t help but want to peel back all the layers and figure it out.

The FMC (female main character) is such a relatable delight. She’s caffeine-obsessed (a girl after my own heart) and her reaction to a baby unicorn is exactly how I imagine most of us would respond—with a mix of shock and giddy excitement. Her authenticity really shines through, and that’s a core theme of the book: being true to yourself, even when the world demands otherwise.

I also appreciated the balance between the fantasy world and her old life in New York. When we returned to NYC halfway through, it added an emotional depth I didn’t expect—it was heartbreaking yet grounded the story in a relatable way.

The book is packed with fun references, including Greek mythology and subtle nods to fantasy staples. Sure, it makes jokes about “A Court of Ice and Emptiness” and ends with talk of mates, but rather than feeling derivative, it leans into these tropes with a self-aware charm.

At around 300 pages, it’s a quick and breezy read—it honestly felt like 50 pages. While the last 20% takes a turn for the action-packed, I did find the ending a touch too convenient. That said, it seems like there’s a sequel on the horizon, so I’m curious to see where the story goes next!

This book is perfect for anyone looking for:
• A lighthearted fantasy that’s great for getting out of a slump.
• A fun, self-aware take on popular tropes without the heavy world-building.
• A story with a strong found-family vibe and laugh-out-loud humor.

Yes, there’s a curse and everyone might die, but there’s also a baby unicorn. What more could you want?

An easy to read fantasy with a bit of romance. Millie was a fun side character and added a lot of hilarious comments. I appreciated the banter between the main characters, Silas and Allessia, but the chemistry didn't feel on fire. I really enjoyed the story's pacing and it reads well. The plot is a lot of fun. It's just not a steamy book and although it feels YA it does seem like a younger audience wouldn't relate to the main character as easily. The story is great. I would definitely continue the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. Cursed is the first book in the Court of Isles series by Gina LaManna. This is the first book I have read by this author and I absolutely loved it. I will definitely be reading more of this author's books. This book has a solid female main character and an intriguing male main character. This book has mystery and intrigue. This is a solid read. Once I started this book, I did not want to put it down. I cannot wait to read book two of Court of Isles.

Alessia has never felt like she belonged in her own life - despite an expensive wedding, working as a doctor and with a fabulous life in New York City. So when her wedding is interrupted by a gorgeous guy, Alessia quickly learns that New York is not where she belongs - but on a magic island, which desperately needs her help.

Reading this book on a snowy January, I couldn't help but be jealous of Alessia travelling to an island with constant beautiful, tropical weather (even if it's off of Lake Superior.) I also really enjoyed getting to see Alessia practicing medicine in a tropical land - whether it's Outlander or Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, it's always fun to see fantasy doctors solve something as ordinary as Lyme disease. It was also so interesting to see all the fantasy creatures living together in more or less harmony!

I was disappointed that the book bought so much into an idea of characters having a specific destined place on the Isle. Whether it was housekeeper Millie only being able to use the magic as a "common fairy" or Alessia being the only one who can protect the Isle, I wish the book had balanced a bit more of a message of determining your own future with the idea of destiny.

Lighthearted, quick and easy, non-spicy romantasy read. Felt a little YA but I'm not mad about it. I'm not sure I would necessarily seek out this series but it was a fun little palate cleanser for me between heavier books.

This book was a really solid, quick read and a nice way to start the new year. While I've read this author before, I haven't read her Isle/Magical series. I think readers might benefit from reading the other books set on the Isle, but I didn't feel lost or confused.

I do wish we had learned more about Alessia and her past. I mean, there had to be some signs of her magic before, right? I just think this book would have benefited from being a little longer with more training scenes, information about her parents, and just things to fill in the gaps. I loved all the side characters and felt they were well written and described.

Silas was a solid MMC but again, I'd just love to know just a little more about his past. His interactions with her brother were some of my favorites. I wouldn't be mad to see more of Atlas in this series.

All in all, the book was a good read. It does make me want to read the other magical books the author has.

It was a very quick and easy read but well written. It’s a story of magic, love, and self discovery. I thought it was a very light and beautiful romance.