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A CURSE OF LOVE
One curse.
Four mortal women.
Seven days before the gods are banished to Purgatory forever.
Shadow’s whole life is flipped upside down after her boyfriend breaks up with her at a coffee shop. Now, she must survive in a world where bloodmagic is currency, and she has none. Enter Augustine. He's handsome, charming, and just cynical (and witty) enough to capture Shadow’s attention. At first glance, he seems like the perfect answer to her problems. That is, until she learns that he’s secretly the God of Dreams, and he lives in a castle with all of his deranged siblings.
After being imprisoned within the castle walls, Shadow quickly learns she isn’t alone. Three other women share the same fated rules: fall in love with your assigned deity by week's end, and your life will be spared. Fail? And your life will be forfeited.
So naturally, the women make a plan. Don't fall in love, and the curse will condemn all the gods to Purgatory. If someone falls in love? The others will suffer the consequences.
But that’s the tricky thing about love, isn’t it? It never plays by the rules.
Four mortal women.
Seven days before the gods are banished to Purgatory forever.
Shadow’s whole life is flipped upside down after her boyfriend breaks up with her at a coffee shop. Now, she must survive in a world where bloodmagic is currency, and she has none. Enter Augustine. He's handsome, charming, and just cynical (and witty) enough to capture Shadow’s attention. At first glance, he seems like the perfect answer to her problems. That is, until she learns that he’s secretly the God of Dreams, and he lives in a castle with all of his deranged siblings.
After being imprisoned within the castle walls, Shadow quickly learns she isn’t alone. Three other women share the same fated rules: fall in love with your assigned deity by week's end, and your life will be spared. Fail? And your life will be forfeited.
So naturally, the women make a plan. Don't fall in love, and the curse will condemn all the gods to Purgatory. If someone falls in love? The others will suffer the consequences.
But that’s the tricky thing about love, isn’t it? It never plays by the rules.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Elizabeth Stoltz
3 books80 followersElizabeth is a dark romantasy author who specializes in writing books about cursed gods, forbidden love, the afterlife, and blood magic. She resides in the Midwest, sometimes in psych wards, and also in la-la land. She is the mom of four beautiful children who inspire her to follow her dreams, and the wife of a wonderful man who inspires those dreams. You can contact her on socials @elizabethstoltzauthor, or at elizabethstoltzbooks@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews
August 4, 2026
4.25 STARS Gods behaving badly. Dragons behaving badly. Wraiths behaving badly. And 4 women stuck in the middle.
Shadow was born a silver-blood, magicless orphan who cannot support herself in a world were blood magic is currency. When she is dumped by her long time boyfriend, she realizes she's all alone. Until a very handsome stranger offers to help her out. Of course, nothing is free and Shadow ends up locked in a castle with three other women, and all of them have one week to fall in love with and marry a God. Easy right? Well, don't forget, the dragons. The wraiths. The Gods. Shay and the girls have to band together to find a way out or break the curse that binds them to the castle. Of course, with four strong women, what could possibly go wrong?
This is a fun, unique interesting take on a romantasy with great characters that you really root for!!
Shadow was born a silver-blood, magicless orphan who cannot support herself in a world were blood magic is currency. When she is dumped by her long time boyfriend, she realizes she's all alone. Until a very handsome stranger offers to help her out. Of course, nothing is free and Shadow ends up locked in a castle with three other women, and all of them have one week to fall in love with and marry a God. Easy right? Well, don't forget, the dragons. The wraiths. The Gods. Shay and the girls have to band together to find a way out or break the curse that binds them to the castle. Of course, with four strong women, what could possibly go wrong?
This is a fun, unique interesting take on a romantasy with great characters that you really root for!!
July 11, 2026
2.5 stars
Right off, our FMC Shadow (Shay) finds herself homeless. The currency in this world is magic, and Shay has none. A mysterious man rescues her and takes her to safety. He is actually the God of Dreams and has taken her to the gods castle where she cannot escape. Shay find three other girls also held there. They are told that each must fall in love with a god in 7 days or the gods will be sent to purgatory. If they do not… they die.
The premise is interesting, however I found issues with the writing, execution and pacing. Most of the text is either way too wordy with very little substance, or too brief without connection. The dialogue is fractured and disjointed. It is hard to follow what is actually happening. It’s like random half thoughts were strung together. The characters often verbally overreact to events.
Shay is not a likable person, her conversations with Augustine are very juvenile. She makes spontaneous choices one second without thought of harm, the next she’s over analyzing. Shay does not have a consistent stance or demeanor.
The book does have an interesting magical system. Spell marks depict which type of magic you have. Shay’s insignia is a raven. Early on you are given snippets about the Raven insignia. I get maybe the author was trying to make it mysterious, but it did not feel that way. Like most of this book it felt like a half thought.
The gods argue like children. I imagine gods to be regal, commanding attention. But they seem more like spoiled kids. Same with the girls. Emotions flip in the same sentence… very immature dialogue.
.
This is an example of something that bothered me with this book and did not make any sense. Regent clinches something so tight in his hand it forms a blister. How does that happen? A blister forms from constant rubbing, not holding it tight.
Finally at 50% something Interesting that seems to effortlessly occur happens, but at this point in the book I am just not engaged. I don’t have any interest in any of the characters or really care what happens.
I can usually read a book in 1-2 days. At day 6 I was only 58% done. That is a sign that this book was not for me. I know reading is very subjective. Read this book yourself to form your own opinion. From the other reviews I have read I am an outlier.
Right off, our FMC Shadow (Shay) finds herself homeless. The currency in this world is magic, and Shay has none. A mysterious man rescues her and takes her to safety. He is actually the God of Dreams and has taken her to the gods castle where she cannot escape. Shay find three other girls also held there. They are told that each must fall in love with a god in 7 days or the gods will be sent to purgatory. If they do not… they die.
The premise is interesting, however I found issues with the writing, execution and pacing. Most of the text is either way too wordy with very little substance, or too brief without connection. The dialogue is fractured and disjointed. It is hard to follow what is actually happening. It’s like random half thoughts were strung together. The characters often verbally overreact to events.
Shay is not a likable person, her conversations with Augustine are very juvenile. She makes spontaneous choices one second without thought of harm, the next she’s over analyzing. Shay does not have a consistent stance or demeanor.
The book does have an interesting magical system. Spell marks depict which type of magic you have. Shay’s insignia is a raven. Early on you are given snippets about the Raven insignia. I get maybe the author was trying to make it mysterious, but it did not feel that way. Like most of this book it felt like a half thought.
The gods argue like children. I imagine gods to be regal, commanding attention. But they seem more like spoiled kids. Same with the girls. Emotions flip in the same sentence… very immature dialogue.
.
This is an example of something that bothered me with this book and did not make any sense. Regent clinches something so tight in his hand it forms a blister. How does that happen? A blister forms from constant rubbing, not holding it tight.
Finally at 50% something Interesting that seems to effortlessly occur happens, but at this point in the book I am just not engaged. I don’t have any interest in any of the characters or really care what happens.
I can usually read a book in 1-2 days. At day 6 I was only 58% done. That is a sign that this book was not for me. I know reading is very subjective. Read this book yourself to form your own opinion. From the other reviews I have read I am an outlier.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2026
I really wanted to love this one. 💔 The premise sounded so unique, and the opening chapters immediately pulled me in. Unfortunately, as I kept reading, the story lost its momentum, and I found myself struggling to stay invested. 😔
Shadow’s life was turned upside down after a heartbreaking breakup, only for her to be thrown into a hidden world where blood magic was everything—and she had none. 🩸✨… at least not in the beginning. When she crossed paths with Augustine, a witty and mysterious man who was secretly the God of Dreams, her life spiraled into an impossible curse involving gods, love, and a ticking seven-day deadline. ⏳💙
Alongside three other mortal women, Shadow was forced into a dangerous bargain: fall in love with her assigned deity within a week or lose her life. But if none of them fell in love, the gods themselves would be condemned to Purgatory forever. ❤️⚖️ It was such an intriguing setup, and I genuinely thought it had so much potential.
Sadly, the execution didn’t quite work for me. 😕 The pacing felt uneven, moving quickly at times and then slowing to a crawl. There were several moments where the story dragged, making it difficult to stay immersed. 📖
Shadow also wasn’t a protagonist I connected with. 😞 I struggled to understand many of her decisions, and emotionally I never felt invested in her journey. Because I couldn’t connect with her, it became harder to fully enjoy the story as a whole.
Augustine, on the other hand, was the character who kept me curious. 🌙✨ Every time he appeared, I wanted more of him. But just as I started getting interested, he would disappear again. It felt like I never had enough time to truly know him, and I wished his character had been explored much more.
The world-building and mythology were definitely the strongest aspects for me. 🏰⚡ The idea of cursed gods, blood magic, divine politics, and impossible choices created an interesting fantasy world that I think many readers will enjoy.
While this book ultimately wasn’t for me, I could absolutely see why fans of epic fantasy and mythology-inspired stories would have a wonderful time with it. 💜
✨ Perfect for readers who enjoy:
🩸 Blood magic
🏰 Castles filled with gods
💍 Marriage-or-death stakes
⏳ A deadly seven-day deadline
🌙 Gods and mortals
💔 Forbidden romance
✨ Unique magical systems
⚔️ Epic fantasy with mythology
🔮 Curses and prophecies
👑 Divine family drama
Thank you so much to Elizabeth Stoltz and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity. 💖 While this one wasn’t the right fit for me, I truly appreciate the chance to experience this imaginative world.
Shadow’s life was turned upside down after a heartbreaking breakup, only for her to be thrown into a hidden world where blood magic was everything—and she had none. 🩸✨… at least not in the beginning. When she crossed paths with Augustine, a witty and mysterious man who was secretly the God of Dreams, her life spiraled into an impossible curse involving gods, love, and a ticking seven-day deadline. ⏳💙
Alongside three other mortal women, Shadow was forced into a dangerous bargain: fall in love with her assigned deity within a week or lose her life. But if none of them fell in love, the gods themselves would be condemned to Purgatory forever. ❤️⚖️ It was such an intriguing setup, and I genuinely thought it had so much potential.
Sadly, the execution didn’t quite work for me. 😕 The pacing felt uneven, moving quickly at times and then slowing to a crawl. There were several moments where the story dragged, making it difficult to stay immersed. 📖
Shadow also wasn’t a protagonist I connected with. 😞 I struggled to understand many of her decisions, and emotionally I never felt invested in her journey. Because I couldn’t connect with her, it became harder to fully enjoy the story as a whole.
Augustine, on the other hand, was the character who kept me curious. 🌙✨ Every time he appeared, I wanted more of him. But just as I started getting interested, he would disappear again. It felt like I never had enough time to truly know him, and I wished his character had been explored much more.
The world-building and mythology were definitely the strongest aspects for me. 🏰⚡ The idea of cursed gods, blood magic, divine politics, and impossible choices created an interesting fantasy world that I think many readers will enjoy.
While this book ultimately wasn’t for me, I could absolutely see why fans of epic fantasy and mythology-inspired stories would have a wonderful time with it. 💜
✨ Perfect for readers who enjoy:
🩸 Blood magic
🏰 Castles filled with gods
💍 Marriage-or-death stakes
⏳ A deadly seven-day deadline
🌙 Gods and mortals
💔 Forbidden romance
✨ Unique magical systems
⚔️ Epic fantasy with mythology
🔮 Curses and prophecies
👑 Divine family drama
Thank you so much to Elizabeth Stoltz and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity. 💖 While this one wasn’t the right fit for me, I truly appreciate the chance to experience this imaginative world.
Did Not Finish
August 9, 2026DNF at 85%
Unfortunately, I didn’t feel able to finish this one. I’ve been picking it up, putting it down, and setting it aside for other reads for over a week, and every time I came back to it, I found myself struggling to stay engaged. At 85%, I finally decided that it was better to stop rather than force myself through the remaining chapters.
The premise was actually what drew me in. I really liked the idea of having four women caught in the same curse and forced to deal with the gods together. In fantasy romance, the protagonist is often navigating everything alone or with one close friend, so I was excited to see a group of women facing the same problem and potentially building a friendship while dealing with it.
This book definitely had a lot of potential, and for a debut novel, I think there’s actually a lot to appreciate. I can understand why so many readers got excited about it because, in some way, there is always something that makes you want to keep reading and find out what is going to happen next. Unfortunately, the execution is ultimately what made me decide to DNF, because it just didn’t work for me.
The fantasy world and world-building were probably the strongest parts of the book. I really liked the world the author created, especially the blood magic system, the idea of gods living among mortals, the different realms, and the mythology surrounding everything. There was clearly a lot going on, and I was genuinely curious to discover more about this world.
My biggest issue was that there was so much information happening within such a short period of time that I eventually felt like a ping-pong ball being thrown from one thing to another. I understand that the curse only lasts seven days, so naturally a lot has to happen within that timeframe, but at some point I struggled to keep track of everything that was happening. There was barely any time to process what was going on, take in the world, or simply sit with the characters before the next major event arrived. And unfortunately, that made the story increasingly difficult for me to follow and stay invested in.
The characters: Shadow (fmc) unfortunately never became a character I felt particularly invested in. There were moments when I liked her, but overall, I struggled to connect with her or feel emotionally involved in her story. Augustine was more interesting to me, although I expected a little more from him considering he is supposed to be a god. The other characters, including the other women chosen by the gods, had moments where they caught my attention, but none of them left a particularly strong impression on me. Lily actually surprised me with how things developed, Belle was probably the one I was most curious about, and Maxine at least had a strong personality that made her stand out.
The other gods also left me disappointed because I was expecting them to have much stronger personalities. Instead, I found most of their constant bickering rather childish, and aside from the Goddess of Love, who at least seemed to be driven by a clear goal, most of them felt somewhat unnecessary and superficial to the overall story.
At some point, I found myself wondering whether it was really necessary to introduce so many gods if, ultimately, only a couple of them were actually given enough space to matter to the story.
I also felt that the book sometimes introduced a lot of information that could have been left more to the reader’s imagination. I understand the desire to give us a 360-degree view of the world, but considering how quickly the events unfold, I think some of these details could have been left out. There was already so much happening that removing some of that information might have given the story more room to breathe and allowed the important elements to stand out more.
Sylas, the other potential love interest, was actually more interesting to me. It was a shame that we got so few scenes with him because, compared to Augustine, I found him much more intriguing, and I could actually feel some chemistry between him and Shadow. I was also really curious about the dragon realm, but unfortunately, we barely got to experience it. We only got a couple of chapters there, which felt like a missed opportunity because the little glimpse we got made me want to explore that part of the world and understand it better.
And then there’s the romance, which unfortunately ended up being the weakest part for me. The entire premise revolves around breaking a curse through love, yet I never felt any real chemistry between Shadow and Augustine. They had a few moments where they got closer, but there simply wasn’t enough development for me to believe in their connection. Some of their interactions, particularly those happening through dreams, felt so random that instead of making me more invested, they often left me confused. And considering that their love is essentially the key to breaking the curse, I really needed to feel that connection much more strongly.
Since I didn’t reach the end, I can’t say whether there is eventually an explanation for their connection. At one point, I even wondered if Shadow might be a reincarnation of someone Augustine had loved before, or if their connection through the dreams was supposed to explain why their feelings developed so quickly. But up to the point where I stopped reading, there wasn’t enough to give me a clear idea of how or why these two were supposed to fall in love.
I also wasn't convinced by the "love triangle". I'm not a fan of the trope, but I was curious to see how it would work here. Unfortunately, I kept wondering whether it was necessary at all, especially since there are only a few days left. During that time, Shadow is mostly focused on surviving and figuring out what is going on, so I struggled to understand how she was supposed to develop feelings for multiple potential partners in such a short amount of time.
In general, I liked the idea behind the curse and having love at the center of breaking it. It’s a fun and intriguing concept, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t work for me. I think the biggest issue was the pacing and the lack of breathing room. Every time the story seemed to reach a quieter moment where the characters could actually process what had happened, something huge had to happen again. There was so much happening in such a short amount of time that I never felt the relationships had enough space to develop naturally or the romance to feel like something that grew organically rather than something the plot required to happen. I also wanted more time inside Shadow’s thoughts and more opportunities for the characters to simply exist within the world before moving on to the next major event.
Thank you to Elizabeth Stoltz and The Nerd Fam for the opportunity to read this ARC. Although I ultimately decided to DNF, I’m grateful for the chance to experience the story and see what this world had to offer.
Unfortunately, I didn’t feel able to finish this one. I’ve been picking it up, putting it down, and setting it aside for other reads for over a week, and every time I came back to it, I found myself struggling to stay engaged. At 85%, I finally decided that it was better to stop rather than force myself through the remaining chapters.
The premise was actually what drew me in. I really liked the idea of having four women caught in the same curse and forced to deal with the gods together. In fantasy romance, the protagonist is often navigating everything alone or with one close friend, so I was excited to see a group of women facing the same problem and potentially building a friendship while dealing with it.
This book definitely had a lot of potential, and for a debut novel, I think there’s actually a lot to appreciate. I can understand why so many readers got excited about it because, in some way, there is always something that makes you want to keep reading and find out what is going to happen next. Unfortunately, the execution is ultimately what made me decide to DNF, because it just didn’t work for me.
The fantasy world and world-building were probably the strongest parts of the book. I really liked the world the author created, especially the blood magic system, the idea of gods living among mortals, the different realms, and the mythology surrounding everything. There was clearly a lot going on, and I was genuinely curious to discover more about this world.
My biggest issue was that there was so much information happening within such a short period of time that I eventually felt like a ping-pong ball being thrown from one thing to another. I understand that the curse only lasts seven days, so naturally a lot has to happen within that timeframe, but at some point I struggled to keep track of everything that was happening. There was barely any time to process what was going on, take in the world, or simply sit with the characters before the next major event arrived. And unfortunately, that made the story increasingly difficult for me to follow and stay invested in.
The characters: Shadow (fmc) unfortunately never became a character I felt particularly invested in. There were moments when I liked her, but overall, I struggled to connect with her or feel emotionally involved in her story. Augustine was more interesting to me, although I expected a little more from him considering he is supposed to be a god. The other characters, including the other women chosen by the gods, had moments where they caught my attention, but none of them left a particularly strong impression on me. Lily actually surprised me with how things developed, Belle was probably the one I was most curious about, and Maxine at least had a strong personality that made her stand out.
The other gods also left me disappointed because I was expecting them to have much stronger personalities. Instead, I found most of their constant bickering rather childish, and aside from the Goddess of Love, who at least seemed to be driven by a clear goal, most of them felt somewhat unnecessary and superficial to the overall story.
At some point, I found myself wondering whether it was really necessary to introduce so many gods if, ultimately, only a couple of them were actually given enough space to matter to the story.
I also felt that the book sometimes introduced a lot of information that could have been left more to the reader’s imagination. I understand the desire to give us a 360-degree view of the world, but considering how quickly the events unfold, I think some of these details could have been left out. There was already so much happening that removing some of that information might have given the story more room to breathe and allowed the important elements to stand out more.
Sylas, the other potential love interest, was actually more interesting to me. It was a shame that we got so few scenes with him because, compared to Augustine, I found him much more intriguing, and I could actually feel some chemistry between him and Shadow. I was also really curious about the dragon realm, but unfortunately, we barely got to experience it. We only got a couple of chapters there, which felt like a missed opportunity because the little glimpse we got made me want to explore that part of the world and understand it better.
And then there’s the romance, which unfortunately ended up being the weakest part for me. The entire premise revolves around breaking a curse through love, yet I never felt any real chemistry between Shadow and Augustine. They had a few moments where they got closer, but there simply wasn’t enough development for me to believe in their connection. Some of their interactions, particularly those happening through dreams, felt so random that instead of making me more invested, they often left me confused. And considering that their love is essentially the key to breaking the curse, I really needed to feel that connection much more strongly.
Since I didn’t reach the end, I can’t say whether there is eventually an explanation for their connection. At one point, I even wondered if Shadow might be a reincarnation of someone Augustine had loved before, or if their connection through the dreams was supposed to explain why their feelings developed so quickly. But up to the point where I stopped reading, there wasn’t enough to give me a clear idea of how or why these two were supposed to fall in love.
I also wasn't convinced by the "love triangle". I'm not a fan of the trope, but I was curious to see how it would work here. Unfortunately, I kept wondering whether it was necessary at all, especially since there are only a few days left. During that time, Shadow is mostly focused on surviving and figuring out what is going on, so I struggled to understand how she was supposed to develop feelings for multiple potential partners in such a short amount of time.
In general, I liked the idea behind the curse and having love at the center of breaking it. It’s a fun and intriguing concept, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t work for me. I think the biggest issue was the pacing and the lack of breathing room. Every time the story seemed to reach a quieter moment where the characters could actually process what had happened, something huge had to happen again. There was so much happening in such a short amount of time that I never felt the relationships had enough space to develop naturally or the romance to feel like something that grew organically rather than something the plot required to happen. I also wanted more time inside Shadow’s thoughts and more opportunities for the characters to simply exist within the world before moving on to the next major event.
Thank you to Elizabeth Stoltz and The Nerd Fam for the opportunity to read this ARC. Although I ultimately decided to DNF, I’m grateful for the chance to experience the story and see what this world had to offer.
June 22, 2026
First off thank you Elizabeth for the arc !
Augustine what a man😍😍
This book was so addicting I did not wanna put it down.
I loved our group of friends. Shay, Maxine, Bella, Lily.
4 women locked in a castle 7 days to fall in love ! 👀
This book is so atmospheric! ✨✨
“Without you my world fades to gray.” 🖤
“You could be a bottle of poison and id still consume you just to get high just to taste you on my lips would be a marvelous way to die.” 🖤
Augustine what a man😍😍
This book was so addicting I did not wanna put it down.
I loved our group of friends. Shay, Maxine, Bella, Lily.
4 women locked in a castle 7 days to fall in love ! 👀
This book is so atmospheric! ✨✨
“Without you my world fades to gray.” 🖤
“You could be a bottle of poison and id still consume you just to get high just to taste you on my lips would be a marvelous way to die.” 🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2026
Thank you to Elizabeth Stoltz and team for sending me the ARC!
This was a fun read, it was a good time from start to finish. i loved that friendship and girl empowerment were at the center of the story. Shadow was funny and entertaining as an FMC and Augustine was the perfect blend of mysterious, witty and charming. the magic system and world building were easy to follow without feeling overwhelming, and the premise of falling in love with a deity in seven days or losing your life was a creative and fun concept. it leaned more cutesy than complex and the spice was minimal, but the yearning was there and the story was entertaining throughout. if you’re looking for something lighthearted and fun with a unique twist, this one is a great pick.
This was a fun read, it was a good time from start to finish. i loved that friendship and girl empowerment were at the center of the story. Shadow was funny and entertaining as an FMC and Augustine was the perfect blend of mysterious, witty and charming. the magic system and world building were easy to follow without feeling overwhelming, and the premise of falling in love with a deity in seven days or losing your life was a creative and fun concept. it leaned more cutesy than complex and the spice was minimal, but the yearning was there and the story was entertaining throughout. if you’re looking for something lighthearted and fun with a unique twist, this one is a great pick.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2026
Review of ARC provided through NetGalley
Content guide:
Open door intimacy
Profanity
Violence/blood
3.5 stars
This series has some really good potential. I think there is some good bones here with this book. The magic system and the world was intriguing. It felt new and fresh for the genre. I also found the character dynamics fun and interesting—definitely want to see how the characters continue grow. However, there were aspects of the writing which kept pulling me out of the story as I was reading. Several times throughout the book words were used that didn’t have quite the right meaning for the way they were being used. I think this probably comes down to a synonym finder issue, as the words technically had the right meaning, but not the right usage. Also, while I love metaphor rich descriptions, I actually found that they were sometimes overused in this book, and ended up feeling a bit like filler. Finally, using words and descriptions for things from the modern world that the characters of a book have no businesses knowing (ex. atoms, cells, nuclear) is something I personally find distracting as a reader. Overall I enjoyed the book, I thought the premise was interesting and it was entertaining, I do think the book would greatly benefit from further edits though.
Content guide:
Open door intimacy
Profanity
Violence/blood
3.5 stars
This series has some really good potential. I think there is some good bones here with this book. The magic system and the world was intriguing. It felt new and fresh for the genre. I also found the character dynamics fun and interesting—definitely want to see how the characters continue grow. However, there were aspects of the writing which kept pulling me out of the story as I was reading. Several times throughout the book words were used that didn’t have quite the right meaning for the way they were being used. I think this probably comes down to a synonym finder issue, as the words technically had the right meaning, but not the right usage. Also, while I love metaphor rich descriptions, I actually found that they were sometimes overused in this book, and ended up feeling a bit like filler. Finally, using words and descriptions for things from the modern world that the characters of a book have no businesses knowing (ex. atoms, cells, nuclear) is something I personally find distracting as a reader. Overall I enjoyed the book, I thought the premise was interesting and it was entertaining, I do think the book would greatly benefit from further edits though.
July 10, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. I absolutely loved this story! The character and world building was on point! Im definitely going to have a book hangover and need more!! Would have loved to see more of Augustine!! Shadow/Shay she is sassy and takes no crap from anyone and you got to love that about her!! She is my kind of woman! I love how they all supported each other especially when things got tough!! They stuck together! When you thought you knew what was going to happen it took a turn and didnt see that coming!! Loved it, it kept you on your toes wanting more!! Chefs kiss Elizabeth!! Cant wait for more!!
“One curse.
Four mortal women.
Seven days before the gods are banished to Purgatory forever.
Shadow’s whole life is flipped upside down after her boyfriend breaks up with her at a coffee shop. Now, she must survive in a world where bloodmagic is currency, and she has none. Enter Augustine. He's handsome, charming, and just cynical (and witty) enough to capture Shadow’s attention. At first glance, he seems like the perfect answer to her problems. That is, until she learns that he’s secretly the God of Dreams, and he lives in a castle with all of his crazy siblings.
After being imprisoned within the castle walls, Shadow quickly learns she isn’t alone. Three other women share the same fated rules: fall in love with your assigned deity by week's end, and your life will be spared. Fail? And your life will be forfeited.
So naturally, the women make a plan. Don't fall in love, and the curse will condemn all the gods to Purgatory. If someone falls in love? The others will suffer the consequences.
But that’s the tricky thing about love, isn’t it? It never plays by the rules.”
“One curse.
Four mortal women.
Seven days before the gods are banished to Purgatory forever.
Shadow’s whole life is flipped upside down after her boyfriend breaks up with her at a coffee shop. Now, she must survive in a world where bloodmagic is currency, and she has none. Enter Augustine. He's handsome, charming, and just cynical (and witty) enough to capture Shadow’s attention. At first glance, he seems like the perfect answer to her problems. That is, until she learns that he’s secretly the God of Dreams, and he lives in a castle with all of his crazy siblings.
After being imprisoned within the castle walls, Shadow quickly learns she isn’t alone. Three other women share the same fated rules: fall in love with your assigned deity by week's end, and your life will be spared. Fail? And your life will be forfeited.
So naturally, the women make a plan. Don't fall in love, and the curse will condemn all the gods to Purgatory. If someone falls in love? The others will suffer the consequences.
But that’s the tricky thing about love, isn’t it? It never plays by the rules.”
July 17, 2026
5⭐️ , 3🌶️
I was OBSESSED with this friend group. Their banter, loyalty, and chemistry felt so real that I wanted to be part of it.
The FMC was everything—sassy, witty, quick-thinking, and impossible not to love. The MMC completely had my attention too… I just needed MORE of him. Thankfully this is only book one in a trilogy, so I’m holding onto hope. 👀
The fact that this is Elizabeth Stoltz’s debut absolutely blows my mind. You can feel how much heart and soul she poured into every page. Her writing felt so natural, so human, and I was hooked from the very beginning.
If you love romantasy with elemental magic, rebellion, dragons, and an unforgettable found family, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. I can’t wait for book two.
I was OBSESSED with this friend group. Their banter, loyalty, and chemistry felt so real that I wanted to be part of it.
The FMC was everything—sassy, witty, quick-thinking, and impossible not to love. The MMC completely had my attention too… I just needed MORE of him. Thankfully this is only book one in a trilogy, so I’m holding onto hope. 👀
The fact that this is Elizabeth Stoltz’s debut absolutely blows my mind. You can feel how much heart and soul she poured into every page. Her writing felt so natural, so human, and I was hooked from the very beginning.
If you love romantasy with elemental magic, rebellion, dragons, and an unforgettable found family, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. I can’t wait for book two.
August 19, 2026
I had the absolute pleasure of receiving this as an ARC, and this one pulled me in from the very beginning! The premise was SO fun, and I loved getting to explore this world alongside Shay as everything around her slowly unraveled.
Shay is such a badass FMC. She’s sarcastic, stubborn, fearless, and absolutely refuses to let anyone walk all over her, and I was HERE for it. Her dynamic with Augustine was definitely one of my favorite parts because the banter, tension, and back-and-forth between them kept me invested the entire time.
I also really loved the found-family aspect of this story. Watching the women come together, protect one another, and refuse to leave anyone behind made my heart so happy. And just when I thought I had everything figured out… the story would throw another twist at me. I genuinely never knew what was coming next, which made it so hard to put down!
This was such an exciting debut, and I absolutely cannot wait to see where Elizabeth takes this story next. If you love gods, magic, curses, strong FMCs, witty banter, unexpected twists, and a little romance mixed into a chaotic fantasy adventure, definitely add this one to your TBR!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for the opportunity to read this as an ARC! 💕 Absolutely chef’s kiss. 👩🍳💋
Shay is such a badass FMC. She’s sarcastic, stubborn, fearless, and absolutely refuses to let anyone walk all over her, and I was HERE for it. Her dynamic with Augustine was definitely one of my favorite parts because the banter, tension, and back-and-forth between them kept me invested the entire time.
I also really loved the found-family aspect of this story. Watching the women come together, protect one another, and refuse to leave anyone behind made my heart so happy. And just when I thought I had everything figured out… the story would throw another twist at me. I genuinely never knew what was coming next, which made it so hard to put down!
This was such an exciting debut, and I absolutely cannot wait to see where Elizabeth takes this story next. If you love gods, magic, curses, strong FMCs, witty banter, unexpected twists, and a little romance mixed into a chaotic fantasy adventure, definitely add this one to your TBR!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for the opportunity to read this as an ARC! 💕 Absolutely chef’s kiss. 👩🍳💋
July 4, 2026
✨ arc review ✨
This was so good! 4 ⭐️ from me!
I was hooked from the beginning and the story had me guessing until the very end. I loved Shay, she was so bratty and sassy 😍 also loved all the other girly characters! And Augustine? Yesss. I wish we would have seen more of him honestly, I really liked him.
Sometimes I felt the story was a bit jumbled and somewhat hard to follow which is why I’m not giving it the full five stars. But I’m so up for reading more from this author 😋
This was so good! 4 ⭐️ from me!
I was hooked from the beginning and the story had me guessing until the very end. I loved Shay, she was so bratty and sassy 😍 also loved all the other girly characters! And Augustine? Yesss. I wish we would have seen more of him honestly, I really liked him.
Sometimes I felt the story was a bit jumbled and somewhat hard to follow which is why I’m not giving it the full five stars. But I’m so up for reading more from this author 😋
August 2, 2026
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
I had so much fun reading A Curse of Love! At times, it felt like I was reading a classic 90s rom-com, especially at the beginning. The story opens with our FMC, Shadow, being dumped and made homeless by her boyfriend. She then goes on to find herself trapped in a castle with three other women, who are all forced to fall in love with their assigned god by the end of the week. Talk about having a bad day!
Shadow is such a great FMC and I found myself instantly liking her. She talks about herself as being ordinary and lacking, but there’s always the sense that there is more to her than even she knows. There’s one particular moment in the story that I found quite poignant. Shadow discovers something that completely turns her world upside down. Not knowing how to cope with this, she’s told, “The only way out is through.” After reading the author’s note at the end of the book, this line felt even more meaningful to me and paints Shadow’s experiences in a different light.
Although this is a story about falling in love, the true strength of the book is the female friendships. I found myself looking forward to the chapters involving the four friends the most. The teasing and banter between the four women is incredible and the sarcastic, witty remarks they fire at each other are hilarious. Despite all the teasing and how much they wind each other up, these women are incredibly loyal and support each other no matter what.
I’m really excited to see where this series goes next. I have a feeling that there are some big revelations to come!
Congratulations to Elizabeth Stoltz on a fantastic debut, and thank you so much to for my ARC.
Tropes:
✨ Found Family
✨ One Horse
✨ Female Friendships
✨ Bloodmagic
✨ Gods & Dragonlords
✨ Cursed Castle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
I had so much fun reading A Curse of Love! At times, it felt like I was reading a classic 90s rom-com, especially at the beginning. The story opens with our FMC, Shadow, being dumped and made homeless by her boyfriend. She then goes on to find herself trapped in a castle with three other women, who are all forced to fall in love with their assigned god by the end of the week. Talk about having a bad day!
Shadow is such a great FMC and I found myself instantly liking her. She talks about herself as being ordinary and lacking, but there’s always the sense that there is more to her than even she knows. There’s one particular moment in the story that I found quite poignant. Shadow discovers something that completely turns her world upside down. Not knowing how to cope with this, she’s told, “The only way out is through.” After reading the author’s note at the end of the book, this line felt even more meaningful to me and paints Shadow’s experiences in a different light.
Although this is a story about falling in love, the true strength of the book is the female friendships. I found myself looking forward to the chapters involving the four friends the most. The teasing and banter between the four women is incredible and the sarcastic, witty remarks they fire at each other are hilarious. Despite all the teasing and how much they wind each other up, these women are incredibly loyal and support each other no matter what.
I’m really excited to see where this series goes next. I have a feeling that there are some big revelations to come!
Congratulations to Elizabeth Stoltz on a fantastic debut, and thank you so much to for my ARC.
Tropes:
✨ Found Family
✨ One Horse
✨ Female Friendships
✨ Bloodmagic
✨ Gods & Dragonlords
✨ Cursed Castle
August 1, 2026
4.5⭐️/5
The group of 4 women stuck in the castle, racing to fall in love in seven days was my favorite. Their banter and connection, how they had each other’s backs through everything, really made this so fun for me. The world building and plot were enticing and I couldn’t stop reading once I began! Straight from page one I was hooked. Shay’s sass was the best and I really loved every single scene with Augustine…I wish we got to see more of him. I will absolutely be reading book 2!
Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy, this review is given voluntarily.
The group of 4 women stuck in the castle, racing to fall in love in seven days was my favorite. Their banter and connection, how they had each other’s backs through everything, really made this so fun for me. The world building and plot were enticing and I couldn’t stop reading once I began! Straight from page one I was hooked. Shay’s sass was the best and I really loved every single scene with Augustine…I wish we got to see more of him. I will absolutely be reading book 2!
Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy, this review is given voluntarily.
July 21, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ / 🌶️
Shadow, a seemingly powerless orphan is haunted by the “ghost” of her sister and trying to hide in plain sight among gold blooded magic wielders while she is the only one who bleeds silver. However, a new law is being enforced by the Goddess of Love which requires all those of age to seek a partner and marry by the week’s end.
After a seven year relationship, her current boyfriend is forced to break things off with her so he can find a mate that is more suitable for him in his father’s eyes. This leaves Shadow broke, alone, and without a plan… that is until she is found and saved by a “knight in shining armor” who offers his assistance. But will he lead her to safety, or right into the arms of the one who is hunting her?
Blood Magic, witty banter, sassy besties, dragon lords/shifters, dream walking and a cursed castle are just a few of the elements you will find in this story. It is so unique from anything I’ve read before and the banter in this one had me laughing out loud. I also loved the storyline and that ending?! Wow. I can’t wait to see what happens next 💜
Shadow, a seemingly powerless orphan is haunted by the “ghost” of her sister and trying to hide in plain sight among gold blooded magic wielders while she is the only one who bleeds silver. However, a new law is being enforced by the Goddess of Love which requires all those of age to seek a partner and marry by the week’s end.
After a seven year relationship, her current boyfriend is forced to break things off with her so he can find a mate that is more suitable for him in his father’s eyes. This leaves Shadow broke, alone, and without a plan… that is until she is found and saved by a “knight in shining armor” who offers his assistance. But will he lead her to safety, or right into the arms of the one who is hunting her?
Blood Magic, witty banter, sassy besties, dragon lords/shifters, dream walking and a cursed castle are just a few of the elements you will find in this story. It is so unique from anything I’ve read before and the banter in this one had me laughing out loud. I also loved the storyline and that ending?! Wow. I can’t wait to see what happens next 💜
August 4, 2026
A Curse of Love was a fun, sassy romantasy that made me swoon and giggle. The f-bomb is dropped approximately 130 times throughout the book and I personally never got tired of it.
Our FMC, Shay, finds herself single at the worst time. The goddess of love has declared that everyone must be married within 7 days or else face dire consequences. With nowhere to go and no blood magic currency of her own to use, she finds herself on a wild adventure stuck in a sentient castle with 4 unpredictable gods and 3 sassy new bffs dealing with a curse and prophecy.
I really enjoyed the world and various types of magics. Quite interesting how magic is used as currency. And Shay, that woman can throw an insult anytime. I giggled so much at some of the things she said. I did struggle a bit with really getting into the story at times, though. There were parts that I feel were too lengthy without any real significance and then parts that I feel were glossed over too quickly. So it did take me a bit longer than normal to finish this one.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. If you like unique magic systems, God and dragons, forbidden romances, curses and prophecies, and a healthy dose of the f word, I think you might enjoy this one.
Our FMC, Shay, finds herself single at the worst time. The goddess of love has declared that everyone must be married within 7 days or else face dire consequences. With nowhere to go and no blood magic currency of her own to use, she finds herself on a wild adventure stuck in a sentient castle with 4 unpredictable gods and 3 sassy new bffs dealing with a curse and prophecy.
I really enjoyed the world and various types of magics. Quite interesting how magic is used as currency. And Shay, that woman can throw an insult anytime. I giggled so much at some of the things she said. I did struggle a bit with really getting into the story at times, though. There were parts that I feel were too lengthy without any real significance and then parts that I feel were glossed over too quickly. So it did take me a bit longer than normal to finish this one.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. If you like unique magic systems, God and dragons, forbidden romances, curses and prophecies, and a healthy dose of the f word, I think you might enjoy this one.
August 4, 2026
An ARC Review of A Curse of Love by Elizabeth Stoltz:
“A raven shall arrive on the backs of wolves, bearing the silver blood of the wraiths. In dreams, the Mother of Chaos she will unveil, commencing a war between gods, demons, and dragons…”
When a decree from a Goddess is delivered stating that everyone over the age of 18 must marry before the end of the week, Shadow's world is turned upside down. With no magic, in a world where everything is paid for by magic, Shay sets off on an adventure that leads her into a chess match with Gods. Swept away by the God of Dreams, who chooses her to marry to stop him from being sent to purgatory, Shay fights to figure out a way to rescue a Goddess, set her sister, who is a ghost, free and stop a war waging between Gods, dragons, magic and people.
Everything in this book is perfectly executed in prose like imagery, describing places and characters in such vivid detail that you feel like you are a part of every scene. If the imagery wasn't spectacular enough, the dialog between characters, and the internal dialog of the FMC are funny, sassy and perfectly fitting for each character. There's even a magical castle that constantly changes, making the Gods angry but working with the gals, offering up things they need as time goes on.
This is a fast paced, adventure daring you to let go of your insecurities and look into yourself for the power you need to flourish and stand up for all that require it. Throw in a love that defies time and you've got a 5☆ book from a debut author that you don't want to miss.
I'd like to thank the author for allowing me to be an early part of this book's journey and for trusting my opinions of it. I am beyond happy to be a part of the team!
“A raven shall arrive on the backs of wolves, bearing the silver blood of the wraiths. In dreams, the Mother of Chaos she will unveil, commencing a war between gods, demons, and dragons…”
When a decree from a Goddess is delivered stating that everyone over the age of 18 must marry before the end of the week, Shadow's world is turned upside down. With no magic, in a world where everything is paid for by magic, Shay sets off on an adventure that leads her into a chess match with Gods. Swept away by the God of Dreams, who chooses her to marry to stop him from being sent to purgatory, Shay fights to figure out a way to rescue a Goddess, set her sister, who is a ghost, free and stop a war waging between Gods, dragons, magic and people.
Everything in this book is perfectly executed in prose like imagery, describing places and characters in such vivid detail that you feel like you are a part of every scene. If the imagery wasn't spectacular enough, the dialog between characters, and the internal dialog of the FMC are funny, sassy and perfectly fitting for each character. There's even a magical castle that constantly changes, making the Gods angry but working with the gals, offering up things they need as time goes on.
This is a fast paced, adventure daring you to let go of your insecurities and look into yourself for the power you need to flourish and stand up for all that require it. Throw in a love that defies time and you've got a 5☆ book from a debut author that you don't want to miss.
I'd like to thank the author for allowing me to be an early part of this book's journey and for trusting my opinions of it. I am beyond happy to be a part of the team!
August 10, 2026
First of all, YES TO ADULT FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS!!!
Are these women fictional? Yes. Would I sit on that couch at Central Perk with them, drinking coffee and getting involved in their drama? Also yes!
Even though the FMC of A Curse of Love is Shadow, her three friends—Lily, Bella, and Maxine—play such a pivotal role in the plot that this book simply wouldn’t be half as good without them. Sort of like Monica, Phoebe and Rachel from Friends. The sisterhood they form, the banter, the inside jokes, the clashes between their very different personalities, and their common goal… all of it makes this book so much more enjoyable.
And then there’s Augustine, the MMC and main potential love interest. What’s there to say about him? Well, he is ultimately a green flag to me, even though you spend the entire book second-guessing his actions and motives. Which, let’s be honest, makes the plot much more interesting—but there were definitely moments when he made my frustration levels rise! 😂
That being said, I won’t deny that there were times when I found the banter and flirty attitude of the second potential love interest much more to my liking, and I’m really hoping we see more of that in the next book.
And then there’s the curse—the event that brings all the MCs together. I really enjoyed how Elizabeth Stoltz made us wait until the book was almost over before we could truly understand the nature of the curse and the role each character plays in it.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable, action-packed read where nothing is quite what it seems and the intrigue continues right until the very end, giving the reader several moments of:
“Wait a second… WHAAAAAT?!”.
Thank you for the ARC, Elizabeth!
All opinions in this review are my own.
Are these women fictional? Yes. Would I sit on that couch at Central Perk with them, drinking coffee and getting involved in their drama? Also yes!
Even though the FMC of A Curse of Love is Shadow, her three friends—Lily, Bella, and Maxine—play such a pivotal role in the plot that this book simply wouldn’t be half as good without them. Sort of like Monica, Phoebe and Rachel from Friends. The sisterhood they form, the banter, the inside jokes, the clashes between their very different personalities, and their common goal… all of it makes this book so much more enjoyable.
And then there’s Augustine, the MMC and main potential love interest. What’s there to say about him? Well, he is ultimately a green flag to me, even though you spend the entire book second-guessing his actions and motives. Which, let’s be honest, makes the plot much more interesting—but there were definitely moments when he made my frustration levels rise! 😂
That being said, I won’t deny that there were times when I found the banter and flirty attitude of the second potential love interest much more to my liking, and I’m really hoping we see more of that in the next book.
And then there’s the curse—the event that brings all the MCs together. I really enjoyed how Elizabeth Stoltz made us wait until the book was almost over before we could truly understand the nature of the curse and the role each character plays in it.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable, action-packed read where nothing is quite what it seems and the intrigue continues right until the very end, giving the reader several moments of:
“Wait a second… WHAAAAAT?!”.
Thank you for the ARC, Elizabeth!
All opinions in this review are my own.
July 30, 2026
Thank you, Elizabeth Stoltz, for providing me with an ARC of A Curse of Love.
Welcome to a world where magic flows through blood, and blood itself is literally currency. In this fascinating land of gods, dragons, powerful magic, and dangerous curses, we meet Shadow, a young woman who is already struggling to survive when she discovers there is something wrong with her blood.
With only one week to break a devastating curse by falling in love with a god, Shadow finds herself racing against time. If she fails, the consequences are far greater than her own fate, the entire world hangs in the balance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters immediately drew me in, and I found myself attached to them from the very beginning. The world-building was engaging without being overwhelming, revealing just enough to keep me intrigued and eager to learn more about the magic system, the gods, and the wider world. The unique concept of blood magic and blood as currency added an extra layer of originality that made the story stand out.
The pacing kept me invested throughout, and I was always curious to see what would happen next. While there were a few areas where I would have loved even more depth and development, it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
If you enjoy fantasy filled with gods, dragons, magic, curses, romance, and high stakes, A Curse of Love is definitely worth picking up.
I can't wait to see where the story goes next and will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
Survival tip: always give wolves cooked fish.
Welcome to a world where magic flows through blood, and blood itself is literally currency. In this fascinating land of gods, dragons, powerful magic, and dangerous curses, we meet Shadow, a young woman who is already struggling to survive when she discovers there is something wrong with her blood.
With only one week to break a devastating curse by falling in love with a god, Shadow finds herself racing against time. If she fails, the consequences are far greater than her own fate, the entire world hangs in the balance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters immediately drew me in, and I found myself attached to them from the very beginning. The world-building was engaging without being overwhelming, revealing just enough to keep me intrigued and eager to learn more about the magic system, the gods, and the wider world. The unique concept of blood magic and blood as currency added an extra layer of originality that made the story stand out.
The pacing kept me invested throughout, and I was always curious to see what would happen next. While there were a few areas where I would have loved even more depth and development, it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
If you enjoy fantasy filled with gods, dragons, magic, curses, romance, and high stakes, A Curse of Love is definitely worth picking up.
I can't wait to see where the story goes next and will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
Survival tip: always give wolves cooked fish.
August 4, 2026
Firstly thank you so much to Elizabeth Stoltz for the opportunity to arc read this.
I really struggled with writing this review. I wish I could give half stars at least because I love this story, it’s funny and I can deeply appreciate the sarcastic fmc Shadow along with the dark humour and swearing, collectively it’s brilliant.
The main basis of the plot is also really good and I don’t think it misses the mark anywhere even if some bits are quite predictable and we’re waiting for Shadow to catch up with what we’ve figured out.
I also really love the friendship element of the story and how they come together to fight for one another. The romance in the story is really entertaining and very well written including the more intimate scenes.
I just think I struggled a little with some of the sudden scene changes, I can deal with dreams whether sleep induced or from falling unconscious 😂 but the characters just seem to flit from one place to another so quickly sometimes and its like to be kept in some scenes a little longer to really take it in, such as the visit to the market, it could have been expanded but it was over before it began.
I appreciate that we don’t get bored at all during the story, the pacing pretty much stays the same and we are given lots of breadcrumbs to kick up on but I couldn’t give it extra stars purely because sometimes there was just too much happening.
Overall it’s a lovely fun story and I’d happily read the continuation of the story when it’s written.
I really struggled with writing this review. I wish I could give half stars at least because I love this story, it’s funny and I can deeply appreciate the sarcastic fmc Shadow along with the dark humour and swearing, collectively it’s brilliant.
The main basis of the plot is also really good and I don’t think it misses the mark anywhere even if some bits are quite predictable and we’re waiting for Shadow to catch up with what we’ve figured out.
I also really love the friendship element of the story and how they come together to fight for one another. The romance in the story is really entertaining and very well written including the more intimate scenes.
I just think I struggled a little with some of the sudden scene changes, I can deal with dreams whether sleep induced or from falling unconscious 😂 but the characters just seem to flit from one place to another so quickly sometimes and its like to be kept in some scenes a little longer to really take it in, such as the visit to the market, it could have been expanded but it was over before it began.
I appreciate that we don’t get bored at all during the story, the pacing pretty much stays the same and we are given lots of breadcrumbs to kick up on but I couldn’t give it extra stars purely because sometimes there was just too much happening.
Overall it’s a lovely fun story and I’d happily read the continuation of the story when it’s written.
July 20, 2026
Thank you so much to Elizabeth Stoltz and the NerdFam for the ARC. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
If you tell me a book has dragons, cursed gods, a magical castle, and a romance, you’ve already got my attention.
If you give me an unforgettable sisterhood on top of all of that… you’ve completely won me over.
The friendships in this book were everything. Watching these women slowly become each other’s family was one of my favorite parts of the entire story. They laughed together, argued together, protected each other, and reminded me that sometimes the strongest love story isn’t just the romantic one.
Shay was witty, fearless, and wonderfully sarcastic. Augustine certainly had my attention, but I loved that there was so much more happening than simply falling in love. The mystery kept unfolding, the stakes kept rising, and every new revelation made it harder to stop reading.
The atmosphere deserves its own applause. The cursed castle almost became a character itself, and between the blood magic, dragons, dangerous gods, and gorgeous world building, I never wanted to leave.
If you tell me a book has dragons, cursed gods, a magical castle, and a romance, you’ve already got my attention.
If you give me an unforgettable sisterhood on top of all of that… you’ve completely won me over.
The friendships in this book were everything. Watching these women slowly become each other’s family was one of my favorite parts of the entire story. They laughed together, argued together, protected each other, and reminded me that sometimes the strongest love story isn’t just the romantic one.
Shay was witty, fearless, and wonderfully sarcastic. Augustine certainly had my attention, but I loved that there was so much more happening than simply falling in love. The mystery kept unfolding, the stakes kept rising, and every new revelation made it harder to stop reading.
The atmosphere deserves its own applause. The cursed castle almost became a character itself, and between the blood magic, dragons, dangerous gods, and gorgeous world building, I never wanted to leave.
August 2, 2026
⭐⭐⭐.5
Title: A Curse of Love
Author: Elizabeth Stoltz
✨📚 ARC Review 📚 ✨
A Curse of Love is the first book in a new fantasy romance trilogy. Thank you to the author for the gifted book! My review and thoughts are my own.
One curse.
Four mortal women.
Seven days before the gods are damned to Purgatory forever.
This story kicks off with the FMC, Shay, being dumped by her boyfriend the same day she finds out that the Goddess of Love has decreed all unmarried adults have 1 week to say "I Do" or be unalived for treason.
She almost immediately runs into the MMC who basically blackmails her into coming with him on an errand - which actually means imprisoning her in the Goddess' castle with 3 other women who all have 1 week for agree to marry one of the royal siblings.
The plot is fast paced (read: chaotic 😆) - a lot happens in a week, which seems rushed. The blood magic and it's use as currency in the world was unique and interesting. I enjoyed learning about the history and dynamics between mortals, deities, dragon shifters, and wraiths. I imagine this foundation will be built on moving into book 2.
Maxine was one of my favorite characters - she is fierce, blunt, and provides comic relief often. Shay was at times overly belligerent, sometimes immature, but I see potential for the development of her character over the course of a trilogy. I enjoyed the scenes with Augustine, but then found myself wondering 'where the heck is he?!' when things got wild for the FMC. When he is present, he is witty, protective, and willing to fight for his love 💘
Title: A Curse of Love
Author: Elizabeth Stoltz
✨📚 ARC Review 📚 ✨
A Curse of Love is the first book in a new fantasy romance trilogy. Thank you to the author for the gifted book! My review and thoughts are my own.
One curse.
Four mortal women.
Seven days before the gods are damned to Purgatory forever.
This story kicks off with the FMC, Shay, being dumped by her boyfriend the same day she finds out that the Goddess of Love has decreed all unmarried adults have 1 week to say "I Do" or be unalived for treason.
She almost immediately runs into the MMC who basically blackmails her into coming with him on an errand - which actually means imprisoning her in the Goddess' castle with 3 other women who all have 1 week for agree to marry one of the royal siblings.
The plot is fast paced (read: chaotic 😆) - a lot happens in a week, which seems rushed. The blood magic and it's use as currency in the world was unique and interesting. I enjoyed learning about the history and dynamics between mortals, deities, dragon shifters, and wraiths. I imagine this foundation will be built on moving into book 2.
Maxine was one of my favorite characters - she is fierce, blunt, and provides comic relief often. Shay was at times overly belligerent, sometimes immature, but I see potential for the development of her character over the course of a trilogy. I enjoyed the scenes with Augustine, but then found myself wondering 'where the heck is he?!' when things got wild for the FMC. When he is present, he is witty, protective, and willing to fight for his love 💘
August 7, 2026
⭐️3.5/5
📚ARC Reader**
This book had amazing banter between friends. Shadow/Raven was witty and funny and I LOVED her. But I have questions. Does she have power? Allegedly she was doing everything solara did but wouldn’t she know that?
I’m sorry to say but her being reincarnated was a terrible trope that I didn’t know I hated until reading this. I wanted it to be more like she had a head injury and was putting pieces back together on her own.
Her and Augustine’s love was like, non existent for most of the book and only in her dreams and I wanted it to be more in her real life. It sucked that it took 400 pages to get there.
This book was a fun read but slightly confusing which was why I gave is 3.5. The epilogue was a masterpiece though. I want to know more about what happened to Shadow’s ex.
I WILL be reading the next book in this series since I have no clue where this is going but I’m excited to find out!
📚ARC Reader**
This book had amazing banter between friends. Shadow/Raven was witty and funny and I LOVED her. But I have questions. Does she have power? Allegedly she was doing everything solara did but wouldn’t she know that?
I’m sorry to say but her being reincarnated was a terrible trope that I didn’t know I hated until reading this. I wanted it to be more like she had a head injury and was putting pieces back together on her own.
Her and Augustine’s love was like, non existent for most of the book and only in her dreams and I wanted it to be more in her real life. It sucked that it took 400 pages to get there.
This book was a fun read but slightly confusing which was why I gave is 3.5. The epilogue was a masterpiece though. I want to know more about what happened to Shadow’s ex.
I WILL be reading the next book in this series since I have no clue where this is going but I’m excited to find out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is unfortunately a DNF for me at 62%.
I rarely choose to DNF an ARC, especially this far into a book, but I reached a point where I found myself struggling to stay engaged. I kept hoping the story would eventually draw me in, but even over halfway through, I was still waiting to become emotionally invested.
The premise had so much potential, and I can absolutely see what the author was aiming for. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite land for me. I struggled to connect with the characters, the pacing felt slow, and I found my attention wandering more often than not. Instead of feeling eager to return to the story, I found myself setting it aside for longer and longer between reading sessions.
There were moments that hinted at an interesting story underneath, but they weren’t enough to outweigh my overall reading experience. By 62%, I felt I had given the book every opportunity to win me over, and ultimately decided it was best to stop reading.
While this wasn’t the right fit for me, every book finds its readers, and I genuinely hope this one finds the audience it resonates with. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the right book for me.
This is unfortunately a DNF for me at 62%.
I rarely choose to DNF an ARC, especially this far into a book, but I reached a point where I found myself struggling to stay engaged. I kept hoping the story would eventually draw me in, but even over halfway through, I was still waiting to become emotionally invested.
The premise had so much potential, and I can absolutely see what the author was aiming for. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite land for me. I struggled to connect with the characters, the pacing felt slow, and I found my attention wandering more often than not. Instead of feeling eager to return to the story, I found myself setting it aside for longer and longer between reading sessions.
There were moments that hinted at an interesting story underneath, but they weren’t enough to outweigh my overall reading experience. By 62%, I felt I had given the book every opportunity to win me over, and ultimately decided it was best to stop reading.
While this wasn’t the right fit for me, every book finds its readers, and I genuinely hope this one finds the audience it resonates with. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the right book for me.
July 23, 2026
This book was addicting and I was hooked from the beginning. I absolutely loved Shay, Bella, Lily, and Maxine. They were made for each other and their banter was great. There are cursed gods, dragons, a unique magical system, political intrigued, and much more in this story, oh let's not forget the wolves and dragons! I love Shay and Augustine!! “Without you, the world fades to gray...You could be a bottle of poison, and I’d still consume you to get high, just to taste you on my lips. It would be a marvelous way to die.”
August 3, 2026
Review of Advanced Reader Copy Recieved by Author
Dragons, curses, and a love story that's anything but simple? Sign me up! This book sounds like a deliciously dark fantasy escape I can't wait to dive into! 🤩🔥 A compelling mix of powerful supernatural beings and loyal friends, with Shay (also known as Raven and Shadow) at the heart of their intricate relationships and conflicts. You need to meet all the girls who fight against God's. Then you meet Augustine, the God of Dreams i hope that ending is not final.
Dragons, curses, and a love story that's anything but simple? Sign me up! This book sounds like a deliciously dark fantasy escape I can't wait to dive into! 🤩🔥 A compelling mix of powerful supernatural beings and loyal friends, with Shay (also known as Raven and Shadow) at the heart of their intricate relationships and conflicts. You need to meet all the girls who fight against God's. Then you meet Augustine, the God of Dreams i hope that ending is not final.
July 26, 2026
I give this 4.5 stars. I received an arc of this book and loved it!! It felt like Starside where you hit the ground running and world build as you go, and Shadow has to roll with the punches. Love the four found friendship women and this unique magic system!!! The twists and turns at the end keeps the reader guessing.
*Spoiler* I had a feeling it was going to be a “I will find you in every lifetime” and it did not disappoint. Love Augustine and I cannot wait to see what happens in book 2!!!
*Spoiler* I had a feeling it was going to be a “I will find you in every lifetime” and it did not disappoint. Love Augustine and I cannot wait to see what happens in book 2!!!
June 23, 2026
I’m about to have a book hangover…. I absolutely loved this book. Shadow/Shay is a sassy, take-no-shit woman & I adore her for it. I really liked the friendships that Shadow formed & how they all supported each other especially when things got rough. The world was built beautifully & I never felt overwhelmed by how much we needed to learn in order to understand everything. The story progressed in such a way that I felt like every time I had a whisper of the bigger picture, something would happen for me to question whether that’s truly what was going on, making it feel unpredictable in a good way. I got lost in this story & struggled to put it down. I greedily want more from this world & its characters.
August 1, 2026
Reviewing an advanced reader copy.
This book was an absolute delight!
Gods, dragons, a magic system unlike anything I have ever read, found family, and an FMC who is witty and strong!
the banter was impeccable!
This book was an absolute delight!
Gods, dragons, a magic system unlike anything I have ever read, found family, and an FMC who is witty and strong!
the banter was impeccable!
Did Not Finish
August 3, 2026DNF at 58%. I really enjoyed the idea of this book and even the plot at the beginning of reading was gripping. B unfortunately it was very very repetitive and felt like everything was being dragged out for so long I just completely lost interest
July 9, 2026
A Curse of Love had a really intriguing premise with a lot of potential but it didn't quite come together for me as much as I had hoped.
I enjoyed the world building aspect, particularly the idea of blood magic being used as currency, this was a concept I haven't seen in other books I have read before.
At times though the story felt a bit uneven, there was quite a lot of elements introduced and it felt like the plot was moving too quickly without fully exploring these ideas, but then at other times i felt it lingered longer than it should of. The dialogue between characters felt forced at times, and the chemistry with the FMC and MMC was non existent.
That said, I really would of liked there to of been more exploration of the dynamic between Augustine and Shadow's, I think this relationship has a lot of potential.
Overall it didn't quite hit the mark for me, I can see what the author is going for though and I think others might enjoy it more.
I enjoyed the world building aspect, particularly the idea of blood magic being used as currency, this was a concept I haven't seen in other books I have read before.
At times though the story felt a bit uneven, there was quite a lot of elements introduced and it felt like the plot was moving too quickly without fully exploring these ideas, but then at other times i felt it lingered longer than it should of. The dialogue between characters felt forced at times, and the chemistry with the FMC and MMC was non existent.
That said, I really would of liked there to of been more exploration of the dynamic between Augustine and Shadow's, I think this relationship has a lot of potential.
Overall it didn't quite hit the mark for me, I can see what the author is going for though and I think others might enjoy it more.
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