The Amalfi Curse

Something For Damn Near Everyone. Seriously, this book has a LOT. You've got romance, in both timelines. You've got a touch of action, in both timelines. You've got adventure, again, in both timelines. You've got pirates and witches. You've got a lonely mom just trying to keep her family together. You've got a son desperate to keep his business... in business. You've got various heartaches. You've got at least some humor. You've got an academic investigation. You've got the fucking Amalfi Coast of Italy, which apparently is one of the more beautiful settings in Europe. (One I personally have no interest in ever visiting, despite this book's strong efforts of conveying just how beautiful it is. I have do doubt it is every bit as beautiful as this book describes so vividly... and yet, I can tell you of places in the Caribbean and the Americas that are just as beautiful. :D)

Overall, the story works well here in both timelines. Yes, it can be a touch slow at times... but then, in a setting such as this... maybe you want to more casually linger, have a more relaxing time in this world and in this location, if only in your mind while you trudge through your "real" life in whatever location you may find yourself in. It *does* take a bit more effort to get into the 19th century story than the 21st century one, but once you do... both parts are equally magic.

Ultimately it almost doesn't matter how you approach this book - whether you're in it for the 18th century pirates/ witches story, the 21st century travel/ adventure/ discovery story, either one of the romances, or even just here for some of the secondary characters or just to hang out in the Amalfi Coast for a few hours in your mind... you're going to find something to enjoy here regardless. Truly about the only types of readers that will be overly disappointed - and I'm warning you now if you're one of these - are those who can *only* read balls to the wall action or Carolina Reaper scorching, damn near erotica, romance, as neither of those are here at all - though their milder forms certainly are. Enough to get the pulse pounding but perhaps without the flood of adrenaline. :)

Very much recommended.