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24 days and 10:01:42
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A CURSE OF LOVE
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Expected 4 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
24 days and 10:01:42
2 copies available
U.S. only
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.
477 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Elizabeth Stoltz
3 books50 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 55 reviews
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.
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 😋
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.
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.”
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Whimsy deniers need not apply. Spoiler-free review!
In a world of AI slop, this book feels utterly human. First, let me set the record straight: I do not like romantasy generally, which I know because I have tried to like it. I am a bit of a book snob. A hater, if you will. It's not because I am an academic and find it hard to look past some glaring issues, but because I find most of it poorly written and sloshed through a speedy traditional publishing process, resulting in indistinguishable carbon copies of one another. This isn't the case with A Curse of Love, and I am happy to report that it is the first romantasy book I have actually finished—I couldn't bloody put it down—which made this an easy five stars. I will say, I rate my indie reads on a different scale to traditionally published books because of the barriers in place. For an indie debut, this ticks all of the boxes: clearly edited, structurally sound, confident/unwavering narrative voice, and utterly engaging. Importantly, it avoids the pitfalls other romantasy books have offered me—they lack a unique angle, lack any of the 'fun' I want from an entertaining read outside of my regular heavy genre choices, and they have cardboard cutout protagonists who all feel like they come from the same Mary Sue story, ready to save the world.
From the jump, I was drawn in by the voice. It's what I imagine E.L James thought she was doing in Fifty Shades of Grey, but it actually works here, rather than feeling at odds with the protagonist's general behavioural characteristics. It felt a little nostalgic, like a grown-up version of books I fell in love with reading as a teen, and as a young woman myself, it's clear Stoltz isn't writing from an outdated perspective like so many of the 'snarky, bitchy' protagonists we see these days—the snark feels earned! The 'banter' feels real! As someone who usually cringes at ~banter~ in these books because it tries way too hard, Stoltz has a fantastic knack for natural back-and-forth between her characters in both light banter and deep emotion.
I love the way this book meets genre signifiers of romantasy. In a genre full of common tropes, it can be hard to find a unique angle, but Stoltz isn't afraid to have fun with the way her story engages with some of these tropes, often satirising them through the narrator's witty perspective and character dialogue in a way that feels both self-aware and helps carry a lightness through the darker and more serious aspects of the book. This is exactly what I want from a 'popcorn read,' though I wouldn't call it a brain-off book. It engages with serious themes as much as it does the comedic voice and banter, and I won't spoil—but I was genuinely drawn to the story's mental health aspects.
This leads to the characters. They're flawed, they're traumatised, and it ACTUALLY affects how they filter the novel's events. I also loved the way language is used to depict this. There are moments of over-description, but this is not a negative here—it's actually a huge reason I connected with the voice so immediately! In a world of romantasy books that cycle through the same internal monologue, it was refreshing to feel like I was actually in the protagonist's head. Her observations feel true to the witty, communicative voice and function like a stream of consciousness rather than being bogged down in needless purple prose for the sake of flourish, and, importantly, feel true to the experience of someone with anxiety who notices even the most minuscule things happening around them (shoutout to the anxious pals). Stoltz balances this by using economical prose to keep the story moving between parts, and I'm someone who will put a book down if the pacing is off (shoutout to ADHD this time) and not once did I feel the need to do so.
You can tell Stoltz poured a lot of love and emotion into this debut. With that said, this is doing something a little risky for today's book market, something I employ in my own writing: A Curse of Love is a character-driven narrative alongside a strong plot, and some readers may feel alienated by not consistently swinging more one way or the other, or spending longer stretches in the protagonist's mind. So, if you're heading into this one and expecting it to be entirely character-driven or entirely plot-forward, be prepared to feel something a little new. It's refreshing! ENJOY IT!
In a world of AI slop, this book feels utterly human. First, let me set the record straight: I do not like romantasy generally, which I know because I have tried to like it. I am a bit of a book snob. A hater, if you will. It's not because I am an academic and find it hard to look past some glaring issues, but because I find most of it poorly written and sloshed through a speedy traditional publishing process, resulting in indistinguishable carbon copies of one another. This isn't the case with A Curse of Love, and I am happy to report that it is the first romantasy book I have actually finished—I couldn't bloody put it down—which made this an easy five stars. I will say, I rate my indie reads on a different scale to traditionally published books because of the barriers in place. For an indie debut, this ticks all of the boxes: clearly edited, structurally sound, confident/unwavering narrative voice, and utterly engaging. Importantly, it avoids the pitfalls other romantasy books have offered me—they lack a unique angle, lack any of the 'fun' I want from an entertaining read outside of my regular heavy genre choices, and they have cardboard cutout protagonists who all feel like they come from the same Mary Sue story, ready to save the world.
From the jump, I was drawn in by the voice. It's what I imagine E.L James thought she was doing in Fifty Shades of Grey, but it actually works here, rather than feeling at odds with the protagonist's general behavioural characteristics. It felt a little nostalgic, like a grown-up version of books I fell in love with reading as a teen, and as a young woman myself, it's clear Stoltz isn't writing from an outdated perspective like so many of the 'snarky, bitchy' protagonists we see these days—the snark feels earned! The 'banter' feels real! As someone who usually cringes at ~banter~ in these books because it tries way too hard, Stoltz has a fantastic knack for natural back-and-forth between her characters in both light banter and deep emotion.
I love the way this book meets genre signifiers of romantasy. In a genre full of common tropes, it can be hard to find a unique angle, but Stoltz isn't afraid to have fun with the way her story engages with some of these tropes, often satirising them through the narrator's witty perspective and character dialogue in a way that feels both self-aware and helps carry a lightness through the darker and more serious aspects of the book. This is exactly what I want from a 'popcorn read,' though I wouldn't call it a brain-off book. It engages with serious themes as much as it does the comedic voice and banter, and I won't spoil—but I was genuinely drawn to the story's mental health aspects.
This leads to the characters. They're flawed, they're traumatised, and it ACTUALLY affects how they filter the novel's events. I also loved the way language is used to depict this. There are moments of over-description, but this is not a negative here—it's actually a huge reason I connected with the voice so immediately! In a world of romantasy books that cycle through the same internal monologue, it was refreshing to feel like I was actually in the protagonist's head. Her observations feel true to the witty, communicative voice and function like a stream of consciousness rather than being bogged down in needless purple prose for the sake of flourish, and, importantly, feel true to the experience of someone with anxiety who notices even the most minuscule things happening around them (shoutout to the anxious pals). Stoltz balances this by using economical prose to keep the story moving between parts, and I'm someone who will put a book down if the pacing is off (shoutout to ADHD this time) and not once did I feel the need to do so.
You can tell Stoltz poured a lot of love and emotion into this debut. With that said, this is doing something a little risky for today's book market, something I employ in my own writing: A Curse of Love is a character-driven narrative alongside a strong plot, and some readers may feel alienated by not consistently swinging more one way or the other, or spending longer stretches in the protagonist's mind. So, if you're heading into this one and expecting it to be entirely character-driven or entirely plot-forward, be prepared to feel something a little new. It's refreshing! ENJOY IT!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced reader copy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
What to expect:
enemies to lovers • bitchy besties • dragon shifters • gods & royalty • found family • slow burn • it was always her • cursed castle • bloodmagic •
One curse
Four mortal women
7 days to fall in love before the gods are damned to Purgatory forever.
This book was fantastic. The excitement I had to read this book was next level and it did not disappoint! It was beautifully written and captivating from the very beginning.
We follow out FMC Shadow (Shay) who has just been dumped by her boyfriend and is now homeless, with no way to pay for anything in a world where bloodmagic is currency and she has none.
I loved Shay’s character, she is fierce, witty and not afraid to speak her mind.
“I’d rather stuff that splinter straight into my eyeball.”
Boy does she go through it in this book. Kidnapped by God of Dreams and taken to a cursed castle and then left there with no explanation from him, lied to and betrayed by those close to her. And to come out in the end where she does is a testament to her character. 👏🏽
Our MMC Augustine, the God of Dreams, now this man is 🥵🔥. I always felt like there was more so his story. We were getting breadcrumbs along the way. But I could tell that he really cared for her and was willing to protect her at all costs.
“Without you, the world fades to gray.”
“You could be a bottle of poison, and id still consume you to get high, just to taste you on my lips. It would be a marvelous way to die.” 🫠
Along with Shay there were three other women taken. Lilly, Bella & Maxine. All very different characters, and some with big personalities.
Maxine, “I’m making little nooses. One for each of you in the event you cross me.”
One girl for each of the gods. The Goddess of Love, God of War, God of Wisdom and the God of Dreams. And they had seven days to fall in love with them.
I really enjoyed the plot, can 4 women really fall in love in 7 days? Guess you will have to read it to find out!
This book is fast paced and addicting, as it only spans over a couple of weeks. So, the plot is always plotting away. We had some high stakes moments, that had me stressed.
I loved the cursed castle; it changes its layout constantly. And I loved the mystery element that brought to the book.
Shay’s inner monologue was soo good! Loved her snarky comments.
The world building was atmospheric and beautifully written. I could picture everything I was reading.
We get dragons in this book.. yes dragon shifters.. say less...I really enjoyed King Sylas character. But boy he was cocky.
Shout out to Sir Valiant, his character was a fav of mine. The respect and care he showed Shay was fantastic.
The chemistry and yearning between Shay and Augustine was so good. And Shay’s memories, just added to the tension.
“I will never let you go again; I will follow you through every lifetime until you remember who you are. The owner of my heart.”
Really enjoyed the epilogue. But the bonus chapter for me was 10/10. What a perfect way to end the book.
Cannot wait to continue reading this series.
And I can’t recommend this book enough. And it will leave you begging for more.
Thank you so much Elizabeth for sending me an ARC copy of your book. 🩷
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
What to expect:
enemies to lovers • bitchy besties • dragon shifters • gods & royalty • found family • slow burn • it was always her • cursed castle • bloodmagic •
One curse
Four mortal women
7 days to fall in love before the gods are damned to Purgatory forever.
This book was fantastic. The excitement I had to read this book was next level and it did not disappoint! It was beautifully written and captivating from the very beginning.
We follow out FMC Shadow (Shay) who has just been dumped by her boyfriend and is now homeless, with no way to pay for anything in a world where bloodmagic is currency and she has none.
I loved Shay’s character, she is fierce, witty and not afraid to speak her mind.
“I’d rather stuff that splinter straight into my eyeball.”
Boy does she go through it in this book. Kidnapped by God of Dreams and taken to a cursed castle and then left there with no explanation from him, lied to and betrayed by those close to her. And to come out in the end where she does is a testament to her character. 👏🏽
Our MMC Augustine, the God of Dreams, now this man is 🥵🔥. I always felt like there was more so his story. We were getting breadcrumbs along the way. But I could tell that he really cared for her and was willing to protect her at all costs.
“Without you, the world fades to gray.”
“You could be a bottle of poison, and id still consume you to get high, just to taste you on my lips. It would be a marvelous way to die.” 🫠
Along with Shay there were three other women taken. Lilly, Bella & Maxine. All very different characters, and some with big personalities.
Maxine, “I’m making little nooses. One for each of you in the event you cross me.”
One girl for each of the gods. The Goddess of Love, God of War, God of Wisdom and the God of Dreams. And they had seven days to fall in love with them.
I really enjoyed the plot, can 4 women really fall in love in 7 days? Guess you will have to read it to find out!
This book is fast paced and addicting, as it only spans over a couple of weeks. So, the plot is always plotting away. We had some high stakes moments, that had me stressed.
I loved the cursed castle; it changes its layout constantly. And I loved the mystery element that brought to the book.
Shay’s inner monologue was soo good! Loved her snarky comments.
The world building was atmospheric and beautifully written. I could picture everything I was reading.
We get dragons in this book.. yes dragon shifters.. say less...I really enjoyed King Sylas character. But boy he was cocky.
Shout out to Sir Valiant, his character was a fav of mine. The respect and care he showed Shay was fantastic.
The chemistry and yearning between Shay and Augustine was so good. And Shay’s memories, just added to the tension.
“I will never let you go again; I will follow you through every lifetime until you remember who you are. The owner of my heart.”
Really enjoyed the epilogue. But the bonus chapter for me was 10/10. What a perfect way to end the book.
Cannot wait to continue reading this series.
And I can’t recommend this book enough. And it will leave you begging for more.
Thank you so much Elizabeth for sending me an ARC copy of your book. 🩷
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you author for this advanced copy, this review is done by myself and voluntarily.
The idea is unique.
At the beginning, we got a damsel in distress.
Shadow is a non magic girl in a world where bloodmagic is the currency.
The queen's latest order made her boyfriend dump her, since Shadow is deemed unworthy.
Suddenly without a place to be, Shadow met a mysterious man.
Suspiciously this man helps her to get out of her dire situation.
Only to get into another dire situation. Or is it?
Raven met with 3 other girls, and each of them were forced to fall in love with the gods in order to break A Curse of Love.
A Curse of Love is a curse where the gods have to be loved by mortal humans in a certain time limit. If the gods fail to find a person who will willingly love them, the gods will be sent to Purgatory.
But is it the real story or is there some bigger plot hidden?
Overall I like this story, the premise is unique. But the writing is a little bit jumpy.
We jump from one situation into another situation, a little bit tiring since the transition is not always smooth.
Enemies to lovers? Hmm not really true. Augustine always helps Raven since the beginning. Only Raven that see Augustine as her enemy.
But I think that the current interaction between Raven and Augustine is not enough to make her fall in love. Yes, it is enough if you bring up the past. But in their current situation? It is more like a Stockholm syndrome. 😅
Augustine is too mysterious and he is practically hidden since they arrive at the castle.
Sometimes he shows up, and suddenly he is gone. I don't think I want to play peek-a-boo.
What makes me want to keep going is Raven and her gang.
Their bickering is funny. Even if they don't know each other, being put together in the same situation make them glued together.
The world building, it is seems partially done.
Yes, we got gods, dragons and demons.
Light vs. darkness.
But who is actually the light and who is actually the darkness. Even the King of Hell could fall in love with a dragon princess (not our main character). How could they interact if they were enemies?
It feels blurry for me, but maybe we will get some explanation in the next book.
The idea is unique.
At the beginning, we got a damsel in distress.
Shadow is a non magic girl in a world where bloodmagic is the currency.
The queen's latest order made her boyfriend dump her, since Shadow is deemed unworthy.
Suddenly without a place to be, Shadow met a mysterious man.
Suspiciously this man helps her to get out of her dire situation.
Only to get into another dire situation. Or is it?
Raven met with 3 other girls, and each of them were forced to fall in love with the gods in order to break A Curse of Love.
A Curse of Love is a curse where the gods have to be loved by mortal humans in a certain time limit. If the gods fail to find a person who will willingly love them, the gods will be sent to Purgatory.
But is it the real story or is there some bigger plot hidden?
Overall I like this story, the premise is unique. But the writing is a little bit jumpy.
We jump from one situation into another situation, a little bit tiring since the transition is not always smooth.
Enemies to lovers? Hmm not really true. Augustine always helps Raven since the beginning. Only Raven that see Augustine as her enemy.
But I think that the current interaction between Raven and Augustine is not enough to make her fall in love. Yes, it is enough if you bring up the past. But in their current situation? It is more like a Stockholm syndrome. 😅
Augustine is too mysterious and he is practically hidden since they arrive at the castle.
Sometimes he shows up, and suddenly he is gone. I don't think I want to play peek-a-boo.
What makes me want to keep going is Raven and her gang.
Their bickering is funny. Even if they don't know each other, being put together in the same situation make them glued together.
The world building, it is seems partially done.
Yes, we got gods, dragons and demons.
Light vs. darkness.
But who is actually the light and who is actually the darkness. Even the King of Hell could fall in love with a dragon princess (not our main character). How could they interact if they were enemies?
It feels blurry for me, but maybe we will get some explanation in the next book.
June 24, 2026
Advanced Reader Copy received from Author
I absolutely flew through A Curse of Love. From the very beginning, I was hooked and found myself constantly wanting to read just one more chapter. As a Beauty and the Beast retelling, it managed to feel familiar while still keeping me guessing.
Shadow was such an easy character to root for. It felt like every time things started looking up for her, something else would go wrong, and I was fully invested in seeing her finally catch a break. I loved following her journey and watching her grow throughout the story.
One of my favorite characters was Augustine. I was intrigued by him from the start, and honestly, I did not see certain revelations coming. Looking back, some of the clues seem so obvious, but in the moment, the truth completely caught me off guard.
I also have to talk about the friendships in this book. As much as I enjoyed the romance, I think I was even more invested in Shadow's friendships with Maxine, Bella, and Lily. After growing up feeling isolated, it was so rewarding to watch her find people who genuinely cared about her and stood by her side. Their bond ended up being one of my favorite parts of the story.
I was a little nervous going in because love triangles are usually one of my least favorite tropes, but I thought it was handled really well here. It never felt overly frustrating, and I was ultimately very happy with how everything played out.
The mystery surrounding Shadow's strange sense of déjà vu kept me guessing throughout the book. I had theories, and none of them ended up being right. When the truth was revealed, it genuinely surprised me and added an interesting layer to the story.
And whatever you do, don't skip the epilogue. Trust me. The karma was incredibly satisfying.
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced fantasy romance with lovable characters, strong friendships, surprising twists, and a story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. If you enjoy retellings with heart, mystery, and a cast of characters you'll quickly become attached to, this one is definitely worth picking up.
I absolutely flew through A Curse of Love. From the very beginning, I was hooked and found myself constantly wanting to read just one more chapter. As a Beauty and the Beast retelling, it managed to feel familiar while still keeping me guessing.
Shadow was such an easy character to root for. It felt like every time things started looking up for her, something else would go wrong, and I was fully invested in seeing her finally catch a break. I loved following her journey and watching her grow throughout the story.
One of my favorite characters was Augustine. I was intrigued by him from the start, and honestly, I did not see certain revelations coming. Looking back, some of the clues seem so obvious, but in the moment, the truth completely caught me off guard.
I also have to talk about the friendships in this book. As much as I enjoyed the romance, I think I was even more invested in Shadow's friendships with Maxine, Bella, and Lily. After growing up feeling isolated, it was so rewarding to watch her find people who genuinely cared about her and stood by her side. Their bond ended up being one of my favorite parts of the story.
I was a little nervous going in because love triangles are usually one of my least favorite tropes, but I thought it was handled really well here. It never felt overly frustrating, and I was ultimately very happy with how everything played out.
The mystery surrounding Shadow's strange sense of déjà vu kept me guessing throughout the book. I had theories, and none of them ended up being right. When the truth was revealed, it genuinely surprised me and added an interesting layer to the story.
And whatever you do, don't skip the epilogue. Trust me. The karma was incredibly satisfying.
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced fantasy romance with lovable characters, strong friendships, surprising twists, and a story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. If you enjoy retellings with heart, mystery, and a cast of characters you'll quickly become attached to, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The story follows Shay (Shadow), whose life is turned upside down right at the start of the book. After a heartbreaking breakup, she's left homeless in a world where blood magic is a currency, and she has none.
Then she meets Augustine, a mysterious man who seems like a dream come true. Thinking she's finally caught a break, she goes with him, but before she knows it, she's dumped at the gates of the gods' castle, where she gets caught up in an impossible curse alongside three other mortal women. They've got seven days to fall in love with their assigned god, or they'll die. Oh, and if none of them manage it, the gods are doomed to spend eternity in purgatory.
One of my absolute favourite things about this book was actually Shay's friendships. After seeing how lonely she'd been for so much of her life, it was honestly so lovely to see her find people like Maxine, Belle and Lily. They genuinely cared about her, stood by her, and became the family she never really had.
The whole mystery surrounding Shay's constant feelings of déjà vu had me coming up with theory after theory. Some were surprisingly right, most were completely wrong, but I loved trying to piece everything together alongside Shay. The reveals genuinely caught me off guard, and I had the best time trying to connect all the clues.
I think the romance was done really well too, with loads of tension, plenty of chemistry, and great banter, as well as a really interesting history between the characters that slowly unfolded throughout the story.
I honestly flew through this because every chapter seemed to answer one question while giving me five more. It had me completely invested, and I kept saying, "Just one more chapter," which, as usual, turned into several more.
Overall, this was such a fun fantasy romance. It had mystery, magic, romance, found family, hilarious banter, plenty of emotional moments, and twists that kept me guessing the whole time. If you love books where you're constantly trying to solve the mystery alongside the main character, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for the next book because I need answers.
Then she meets Augustine, a mysterious man who seems like a dream come true. Thinking she's finally caught a break, she goes with him, but before she knows it, she's dumped at the gates of the gods' castle, where she gets caught up in an impossible curse alongside three other mortal women. They've got seven days to fall in love with their assigned god, or they'll die. Oh, and if none of them manage it, the gods are doomed to spend eternity in purgatory.
One of my absolute favourite things about this book was actually Shay's friendships. After seeing how lonely she'd been for so much of her life, it was honestly so lovely to see her find people like Maxine, Belle and Lily. They genuinely cared about her, stood by her, and became the family she never really had.
The whole mystery surrounding Shay's constant feelings of déjà vu had me coming up with theory after theory. Some were surprisingly right, most were completely wrong, but I loved trying to piece everything together alongside Shay. The reveals genuinely caught me off guard, and I had the best time trying to connect all the clues.
I think the romance was done really well too, with loads of tension, plenty of chemistry, and great banter, as well as a really interesting history between the characters that slowly unfolded throughout the story.
I honestly flew through this because every chapter seemed to answer one question while giving me five more. It had me completely invested, and I kept saying, "Just one more chapter," which, as usual, turned into several more.
Overall, this was such a fun fantasy romance. It had mystery, magic, romance, found family, hilarious banter, plenty of emotional moments, and twists that kept me guessing the whole time. If you love books where you're constantly trying to solve the mystery alongside the main character, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for the next book because I need answers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2026
“You can’t protect me from this & you know it.”
“I sure as hell can try.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re my Dreamshade, Raven. You’re the drug that I need to survive.” ❤️🔥
A Curse Of Love is roughly 476 pages that hook you from the very beginning and tells a story of hundreds of years’ worth of love, betrayals, secrets, prophecies, Gods, dragons, villages inside of trees, poisons, curses, spell marks, wolves, & gold and silver blood. Which color you bleed, means EVERYTHING when it comes to surviving the Gods and the marriage proposals they set forth. Unfortunately for Shadow, she bleeds sliver, the blood of the Raven, and she has to try and hide that piece of herself from everyone, to survive. She is thrown into the Gods’ castle with three other girls and they become close throughout the book.
This book unfolds with some of the most authentic, almost realistic feeling world building I’ve read in romantasy books. And for me as a reader, that means A LOT, because a good fantasy/romantasy book has to paint the picture clearly for the reader to imagine all of the details written. This book did exactly that!!
There is so much happening in this story, that it was truly hard to put down. I stayed up until the sun came up the last two nights reading. Shadow thinks she just needs to find the Mother Of Chaos and free her sister, but secrets start to unfold and Shadow finds out she is the only person who can change the events of the future, and I was NOT expecting the twists that came along the way. I love that I wasn’t expecting the things that happened!
The banter…this book had soooo much banter!! And…a dragon king and the God of dreams fights over the girl..what more do I need to say!? 🥵
“I sure as hell can try.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re my Dreamshade, Raven. You’re the drug that I need to survive.” ❤️🔥
A Curse Of Love is roughly 476 pages that hook you from the very beginning and tells a story of hundreds of years’ worth of love, betrayals, secrets, prophecies, Gods, dragons, villages inside of trees, poisons, curses, spell marks, wolves, & gold and silver blood. Which color you bleed, means EVERYTHING when it comes to surviving the Gods and the marriage proposals they set forth. Unfortunately for Shadow, she bleeds sliver, the blood of the Raven, and she has to try and hide that piece of herself from everyone, to survive. She is thrown into the Gods’ castle with three other girls and they become close throughout the book.
This book unfolds with some of the most authentic, almost realistic feeling world building I’ve read in romantasy books. And for me as a reader, that means A LOT, because a good fantasy/romantasy book has to paint the picture clearly for the reader to imagine all of the details written. This book did exactly that!!
There is so much happening in this story, that it was truly hard to put down. I stayed up until the sun came up the last two nights reading. Shadow thinks she just needs to find the Mother Of Chaos and free her sister, but secrets start to unfold and Shadow finds out she is the only person who can change the events of the future, and I was NOT expecting the twists that came along the way. I love that I wasn’t expecting the things that happened!
The banter…this book had soooo much banter!! And…a dragon king and the God of dreams fights over the girl..what more do I need to say!? 🥵
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just knew as soon as the wolves welcomed her ehat that meant but I shan't spoil it, let me just say that we have a magic system that leaves a mark on the wearers wrist that marks their magic and our protagonist has a unique one in that she has no magic at all...at least to begin with. Shadow (fmc) is struggling in a world that relies on magic until she comes across a certain God of Dreams who embroils her in a potential war and a deadline that requires marriage or death.
I was a little surprised Shadow didn't leave with a certain dragon prince, Sylas Skornborn, and I really wish she'd taken the opportunity to become a politician in his court but then again if she had we wouldn't have had more time with her fellow women who are in caotivity with her. The supporting characters make this, with their banter, their vibrant personalities and ideas. I want more of the supporting cast!
Now, the "big secret" felt fairly obvious to me from early on so I was waiting for our girl to catch up with what seemed pretty clear, but alas some things take time.
The prophecy raises such high stakes by suggesting either the end of the gods or the end of the world, which makes Shadow's determination to bring back her sister even more dramatic. It's definitely a choice driven by grief, even if I found myself questioning whether it was worth the risk.
Then we have chapter 34 which felt quite exposition-heavy, with a lot of information delivered all at once but I know this is how our protagonist must have felt.
Shadow unfortunately wasn't my favourite protagonist. I struggled to connect with her decisions and personality, which made it harder for me to understand. Even so, I can definitely see why this story works so well for fans of epic fantasy with complex mythology
I was a little surprised Shadow didn't leave with a certain dragon prince, Sylas Skornborn, and I really wish she'd taken the opportunity to become a politician in his court but then again if she had we wouldn't have had more time with her fellow women who are in caotivity with her. The supporting characters make this, with their banter, their vibrant personalities and ideas. I want more of the supporting cast!
Now, the "big secret" felt fairly obvious to me from early on so I was waiting for our girl to catch up with what seemed pretty clear, but alas some things take time.
The prophecy raises such high stakes by suggesting either the end of the gods or the end of the world, which makes Shadow's determination to bring back her sister even more dramatic. It's definitely a choice driven by grief, even if I found myself questioning whether it was worth the risk.
Then we have chapter 34 which felt quite exposition-heavy, with a lot of information delivered all at once but I know this is how our protagonist must have felt.
Shadow unfortunately wasn't my favourite protagonist. I struggled to connect with her decisions and personality, which made it harder for me to understand. Even so, I can definitely see why this story works so well for fans of epic fantasy with complex mythology
Review of advance copy
Completely exceeded my expectations and quickly became one of those books I could not put down! From the very first chapter, I was drawn into a beautifully crafted world filled with magic, danger, and unforgettable characters. The chemistry between the main characters was absolutely captivating. Their relationship developed throughout the story and we learn very vital things, making every interaction worth it. The romantic tension was perfectly balanced with the fantasy aspect creating a story that was both emotionally engaging and incredibly exciting. The world itself so detailed, easy to imagine and we can’t forget how hilarious the banter can be.. The author did an amazing job weaving together magic, adventure, political intrigue, and romance into a seamless narrative. Every chapter left me wanting more, and the plot twists kept me guessing until the very end. What made it better was its ability to make me feel invested in every character's journey especially our main one. The emotional moments hit hard, the action scenes were thrilling, and the romance had me rooting for the couple from beginning to end. Overall, this was an amazing, binge-worthy read that delivered everything I love about the romance fantasy genre. If you're looking for a book with compelling characters, swoon-worthy romance, high-stakes adventure, and a magical world you'll never want to leave, this novel is absolutely worth picking up. I would highly recommend it to any fantasy romance fan and cannot wait to read more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you, Elizabeth Stoltz for the eARC in return for an honest review.
What to expect -
💖B!tchy besties
✨Blood magic
🕌Cursed castles
🐉Dragon shifters
😴Dream walking
😅Witty banter
🖤Enemies to lovers
💋Love triangle
👩🏻🤝👩🏼Found family
One curse. Four mortal women. Seven days before the gods are banished to Purgatory forever.
A royal decree by the Queen, anyone over 18, must wed by the end of the week. Shay, our FMC, is dumped by her boyfriend and now homeless, her life is in tatters. Where bloodmagic is the currency and Shay has none, Augustine seems like a blessing in disguise, until he leaves her at the gates of the God's castle.
This is a Beauty and The Beast retelling. It had me hooked, I had to keep turning the pages to unravel all the mystery, secrets, magic, and betrayals. It had me confused in all the right ways and when the reveal finally came, everything just clicked beautifully.
Watching the friendships grow between the four women was incredible. There was some heartbreak that you didn't expect and lots of witty banter that had me giggling like a schoolgirl.
The world building was simple yet realistic and easy to imagine. This book had it all, God, dragon shifters, curses, twists and turns, and a simple ending with no brutal cliffhanger. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
"From the way you fawn over that horse, one might think you have a heart."
"I'm afraid I have a strict policy against riding on the backs of horses with strange men."
"You have the coordination of a pigeon in a windstorm."
"I don't usually look this dirty. It's just... there was a man in the forest."
"You would know all about tiny little stick, wouldn't you?"
"Your heart is dark. Which explains why you're such a little ball of hatred all the time."
What to expect -
💖B!tchy besties
✨Blood magic
🕌Cursed castles
🐉Dragon shifters
😴Dream walking
😅Witty banter
🖤Enemies to lovers
💋Love triangle
👩🏻🤝👩🏼Found family
One curse. Four mortal women. Seven days before the gods are banished to Purgatory forever.
A royal decree by the Queen, anyone over 18, must wed by the end of the week. Shay, our FMC, is dumped by her boyfriend and now homeless, her life is in tatters. Where bloodmagic is the currency and Shay has none, Augustine seems like a blessing in disguise, until he leaves her at the gates of the God's castle.
This is a Beauty and The Beast retelling. It had me hooked, I had to keep turning the pages to unravel all the mystery, secrets, magic, and betrayals. It had me confused in all the right ways and when the reveal finally came, everything just clicked beautifully.
Watching the friendships grow between the four women was incredible. There was some heartbreak that you didn't expect and lots of witty banter that had me giggling like a schoolgirl.
The world building was simple yet realistic and easy to imagine. This book had it all, God, dragon shifters, curses, twists and turns, and a simple ending with no brutal cliffhanger. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
"From the way you fawn over that horse, one might think you have a heart."
"I'm afraid I have a strict policy against riding on the backs of horses with strange men."
"You have the coordination of a pigeon in a windstorm."
"I don't usually look this dirty. It's just... there was a man in the forest."
"You would know all about tiny little stick, wouldn't you?"
"Your heart is dark. Which explains why you're such a little ball of hatred all the time."
July 2, 2026
An enemies to lovers fantasy adventure with a curse to break and a bond friendship that can hopefully save them all!
You follow the FMC Shay, after having just been dumped by her boyfriend and made homeless and likely with death around the corner with the queen ordering everyone over 18 to be married. But when she gets caught for a mark she never asked for and is labeled th raven from a prophecy, she’s whisked away with 3 other women that she ends up befriending and is stuck in this twisted web where she is supposed to fall in love with the god of dreams by the end of the week or they will be banished to purgatory and the girls will all be killed. They make a pact together not to fall in love, but when the god of dreams starts showing up in her mind and secrets from her past emerge, she realizes how hard it may be to resist.
I really liked the bonds of friendship formed in this book and how while they were all a bit sassy, they did try to look out for one another and even offering to make the ultimate sacrifices for each other. Of course there was plenty of tension and banter between Shay and the MMC, but there was also the broody Dragon shifter king to throw a wrench into their relationship as well. This was an exciting tale filled with unraveling of secrets and death hanging over all of their heads that I couldn’t put it down once I started! Overall I really enjoyed the characters and plot line and can’t wait to read more books in this series! My rating 4.4/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
You follow the FMC Shay, after having just been dumped by her boyfriend and made homeless and likely with death around the corner with the queen ordering everyone over 18 to be married. But when she gets caught for a mark she never asked for and is labeled th raven from a prophecy, she’s whisked away with 3 other women that she ends up befriending and is stuck in this twisted web where she is supposed to fall in love with the god of dreams by the end of the week or they will be banished to purgatory and the girls will all be killed. They make a pact together not to fall in love, but when the god of dreams starts showing up in her mind and secrets from her past emerge, she realizes how hard it may be to resist.
I really liked the bonds of friendship formed in this book and how while they were all a bit sassy, they did try to look out for one another and even offering to make the ultimate sacrifices for each other. Of course there was plenty of tension and banter between Shay and the MMC, but there was also the broody Dragon shifter king to throw a wrench into their relationship as well. This was an exciting tale filled with unraveling of secrets and death hanging over all of their heads that I couldn’t put it down once I started! Overall I really enjoyed the characters and plot line and can’t wait to read more books in this series! My rating 4.4/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
June 28, 2026
One curse. Four mortal women. Seven days before the gods are banished to
Purgatory forever.
This book starts out with our FMC, Shadow, having her life completely ruined. Her boyfriend broke up with her so now she’s broke and homeless. He ex give her some money, aka bloodmagic,to get through at least a night or two but there are…complications.
That complication’s name is Augustine.
Augustine acts like he’s there to save Shay but then like brings her to the cursed castle of the Gods where she’s tossed in an opulent room with 3 girls who are pretty ummmm… opinionated. Okay that doesn’t sound terrible but like … there’s a curse and they’re there to break it. Mortals breaking a curse created by the gods? Sure. Yeah. Nothing will go wrong.
When I say this book has me hooked from the beginning, I swear to you I am not joking. The story is so beautifully told I felt like I was IN the book. Elizabeth has such a way with words that sometimes my breath was taken away. She drops us into the middle of a land where Gods and bloodmagic rule and everyone has magical abilities. There are secrets and heartbreak and escape plans and violence and I can’t wait for the next book in the series to be released because there is so much story still to be told!
Incredibly thankful to have received an ARC for this book!! Elizabeth is the sweetest and having the opportunity to read and review this book was an honor.
Purgatory forever.
This book starts out with our FMC, Shadow, having her life completely ruined. Her boyfriend broke up with her so now she’s broke and homeless. He ex give her some money, aka bloodmagic,to get through at least a night or two but there are…complications.
That complication’s name is Augustine.
Augustine acts like he’s there to save Shay but then like brings her to the cursed castle of the Gods where she’s tossed in an opulent room with 3 girls who are pretty ummmm… opinionated. Okay that doesn’t sound terrible but like … there’s a curse and they’re there to break it. Mortals breaking a curse created by the gods? Sure. Yeah. Nothing will go wrong.
When I say this book has me hooked from the beginning, I swear to you I am not joking. The story is so beautifully told I felt like I was IN the book. Elizabeth has such a way with words that sometimes my breath was taken away. She drops us into the middle of a land where Gods and bloodmagic rule and everyone has magical abilities. There are secrets and heartbreak and escape plans and violence and I can’t wait for the next book in the series to be released because there is so much story still to be told!
Incredibly thankful to have received an ARC for this book!! Elizabeth is the sweetest and having the opportunity to read and review this book was an honor.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.75 rounded)
**ARC Review**
Thank you to Elizabeth Stoltz for the opportunity to read and review this ARC 😍
A Curse of Love had so many elements that immediately pulled me in: found family, memory loss, fascinating kingdoms, and a MMC that quickly became my favorite character. The Dreamwalker was, without question, the standout for me, and I also adored Maxine.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was the world-building. The different kingdoms each felt distinct, and the magic system surrounding marriage and the rings was one of the most unique concepts in the book. It's the kind of detail that has stayed with me even after finishing.
This landed at about a 3.75-star read for me. I found myself wanting a little more balance in the pacing. Some moments moved so quickly that I wanted additional development, while others felt stretched longer than necessary. There were also a few phrases that felt a bit too modern for the setting, which occasionally pulled me out of the story.
The ending left me with mixed feelings. While I would absolutely continue with the series because I enjoyed the characters and the world, I wanted either a little more closure or a stronger push into what comes next.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fantasy with memorable characters, creative world-building, and several tropes I love. If you enjoy found family, memory loss, fantasy romance, and a MMC you'll want to root for, this is definitely one to check out.
**ARC Review**
Thank you to Elizabeth Stoltz for the opportunity to read and review this ARC 😍
A Curse of Love had so many elements that immediately pulled me in: found family, memory loss, fascinating kingdoms, and a MMC that quickly became my favorite character. The Dreamwalker was, without question, the standout for me, and I also adored Maxine.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was the world-building. The different kingdoms each felt distinct, and the magic system surrounding marriage and the rings was one of the most unique concepts in the book. It's the kind of detail that has stayed with me even after finishing.
This landed at about a 3.75-star read for me. I found myself wanting a little more balance in the pacing. Some moments moved so quickly that I wanted additional development, while others felt stretched longer than necessary. There were also a few phrases that felt a bit too modern for the setting, which occasionally pulled me out of the story.
The ending left me with mixed feelings. While I would absolutely continue with the series because I enjoyed the characters and the world, I wanted either a little more closure or a stronger push into what comes next.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fantasy with memorable characters, creative world-building, and several tropes I love. If you enjoy found family, memory loss, fantasy romance, and a MMC you'll want to root for, this is definitely one to check out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️
This felt very unique and I definitely had a good time reading this. We had gods, we had magic, we had prophecies, and a bit of mystery. I haven't read a story like this before and it kept me very intrigued to wanna know what happens. I had a fun time trying to predict/theorize some parts, but honestly I only got a small amount correct. Definitely a few moments where I did not see that coming which was also fun! There were also moments thats had me giggling. We had some fun personalities with these characters! Especially some of the gods lol!
Our FMC Shay is fiesty and I love it. The way she is fed up with things not in control is just awesome. I did find her a bit relatable at times, especially when she wishes for a group of friends. This was something I did struggle with for a while before I found my people. Which is what happens with her. Through unwanted events she finds a group of women trapped with her. The way they bond and become a cute found family is amazing. Each women has their own quirks and personalities that give them so much depth. I enjoyed learning more about them!
The ending to this book left me very curious to see how this story continues. We didn't get a super big cliffhanger, but we did get a bunch of questions answered which was nice. Overall, I liked this book and will continue reading the series. I do recommend you give this book a try!
This felt very unique and I definitely had a good time reading this. We had gods, we had magic, we had prophecies, and a bit of mystery. I haven't read a story like this before and it kept me very intrigued to wanna know what happens. I had a fun time trying to predict/theorize some parts, but honestly I only got a small amount correct. Definitely a few moments where I did not see that coming which was also fun! There were also moments thats had me giggling. We had some fun personalities with these characters! Especially some of the gods lol!
Our FMC Shay is fiesty and I love it. The way she is fed up with things not in control is just awesome. I did find her a bit relatable at times, especially when she wishes for a group of friends. This was something I did struggle with for a while before I found my people. Which is what happens with her. Through unwanted events she finds a group of women trapped with her. The way they bond and become a cute found family is amazing. Each women has their own quirks and personalities that give them so much depth. I enjoyed learning more about them!
The ending to this book left me very curious to see how this story continues. We didn't get a super big cliffhanger, but we did get a bunch of questions answered which was nice. Overall, I liked this book and will continue reading the series. I do recommend you give this book a try!
July 5, 2026
i am speechless. elizabeth did SUCH an amazing job with a curse of love!
i had the pleasure of receiving an ARC copy of this book, and im so thankful. i seriously cannot WAIT for the rest of the series!
between the gods, blood magic, dragons, wraiths, secret identity’s and everything in between, this story has held me captive.
i can’t express how much i love ALL of the characters. i love shadow and how sassy and bad assy she is, along with her new friends lilly, maxine, and bella. and the first moment augustine was brought into the world, i was on his team. the way he yearned for shadow and the way he gave her time to get a clear understanding of everything, but also was sassy and a little bad assy as well, was perfect. then ofc when the king of dragons was introduced, i didn’t like him very much lol. yes he was hot in my mind but why be so bossy and stubborn to shadow??
the world building was perfect, i could see so clearly EVERYTHING in great detail because of Elizabeth’s writing. i caught myself giggling a lot of the time too!! i have SO many highlighted conversations that made me laugh. i really think that elizabeth did an amazing job with this book, and im excited to see where the rest of the series goes!
highly recommend!! 💗
i had the pleasure of receiving an ARC copy of this book, and im so thankful. i seriously cannot WAIT for the rest of the series!
between the gods, blood magic, dragons, wraiths, secret identity’s and everything in between, this story has held me captive.
i can’t express how much i love ALL of the characters. i love shadow and how sassy and bad assy she is, along with her new friends lilly, maxine, and bella. and the first moment augustine was brought into the world, i was on his team. the way he yearned for shadow and the way he gave her time to get a clear understanding of everything, but also was sassy and a little bad assy as well, was perfect. then ofc when the king of dragons was introduced, i didn’t like him very much lol. yes he was hot in my mind but why be so bossy and stubborn to shadow??
the world building was perfect, i could see so clearly EVERYTHING in great detail because of Elizabeth’s writing. i caught myself giggling a lot of the time too!! i have SO many highlighted conversations that made me laugh. i really think that elizabeth did an amazing job with this book, and im excited to see where the rest of the series goes!
highly recommend!! 💗
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this read.. We start with Shadow ( Shay ) who's boyfriend is breaking up with her in public so she won't cause a scene. The Goddess of Love has decreed that all eligible adults need to marry within 7 days, since Eric's father won't allow him to marry Shay he has to find someone to marry. Shay then is left destitute. She has no magic, no real blood to pay for items, no house, no food and if they find out she has silver blood she's dead. Enter a stranger who follows her and convinces her to "trust" him. He then hands her over to the Goddess's guards to hold with 3 other strangers as potential spouses for the Gods and Goddess. These 4 women now are banded together trying to figure out how to survive. The interaction between the women is hysterical and totally on point to having 4 different personalities in one room. The Gods believe that if the humans fall in love with them the curse the Mother of Chaos , their mom, put on them will be null and void. Shay is to be wed to the God of Dreamland, Augustine, the man who told her to trust him. Shay is more powerful then she knows or believes and Augustine realizes it, so does Sylas the king of the dragons. One of them is determined to have Shay for life.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"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.”
Gods, dragons, blood magic, memory loss, found family, enemies to lovers... this book had everything I love! Both the plot and the worldbuilding felt so unique, and Elizabeth's writing really pulls you into the story's atmosphere.
I really enjoyed Shay's friendships, and while I liked the romance, I would have loved to see even more moments between Shay and Augustine (especially in the past).
I fell in love with Augustine from the very beginning. He was easily my favorite character. And although it took me a little while to connect with Shay, she definitely grew on me as the story went on.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable book. I can't wait to see where the story goes next!
(Also... the bonus scene? An absolute blessing. I loved it so much 🫶)
Thank you Elizabeth Stoltz for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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.
July 11, 2026
More !!! I want more !!! What a cute and interesting romantasy story. It was unique and kept the pages turning from the beginning. It has great supporting characters and a strong FMC. The world building isn’t overwhelming and was easy to follow the who- what- where. In this romantasy story we begin with young lovers who live in a magical world and then all of a sudden are told by one of their Gods that they need to marry within a week (in quick terms). While the male lover is pulled in a different direction due to ‘some magical traits’, we then follow the female on a journey in friendship, love, and second chances in life. I cannot stress enough, what a cool story! The foundation was set for a spectacular continuation of this adventure. I am really excited to see where this one goes.
You should definitely add this to your TBR for enemies to lovers, blood magic, gods and demons, and romantasy adventures.
Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC of her book.
You should definitely add this to your TBR for enemies to lovers, blood magic, gods and demons, and romantasy adventures.
Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC of her book.
July 11, 2026
If you’re a lover of badass females who form an unlikely friendship, broody men and a book with more twists and turns that will keep you up at night this one is for you.
A Beauty and the beast retelling, that focus’s on the story of female friendships and banding together when the tough times hit and a romance that’s full of all the best kind of tension. We follow Shadow whose never felt quite good enough, or fits in as she hides her secrets from the world, but when she’s stolen by Augustine (whose broodiness will have you falling in love) and kept in a castle with a rule to fall in love or face purgatory, enter three other women in the same predicament and what’s happens when you tell a group of women what to do? The opposite of course.
The thing about love though? It doesn’t really matter what you do it’ll make the choice for you.
I’m so proud of you Elizabeth and I know you are going to have amazing things happen. I can’t wait to see where you take us in Book Two. ♥️
A Beauty and the beast retelling, that focus’s on the story of female friendships and banding together when the tough times hit and a romance that’s full of all the best kind of tension. We follow Shadow whose never felt quite good enough, or fits in as she hides her secrets from the world, but when she’s stolen by Augustine (whose broodiness will have you falling in love) and kept in a castle with a rule to fall in love or face purgatory, enter three other women in the same predicament and what’s happens when you tell a group of women what to do? The opposite of course.
The thing about love though? It doesn’t really matter what you do it’ll make the choice for you.
I’m so proud of you Elizabeth and I know you are going to have amazing things happen. I can’t wait to see where you take us in Book Two. ♥️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced copy received from author
“Your heart may be dark, but you bathe my world in light”
Found family
Sisterhood
Magic
Gods
Fated destiny
Forced marriage
Dragon shifters
Betrayal
Heartbreak
Love triangle
Twists and turns around every corner! This book kept me hooked the whole way through!
Without a drop of magic in her blood, our FMC Shay is dumped by her boyfriend, stranded, homeless, and penniless. Just in time for the Queen to decree that all women over the age of 18 must be wed by the end of the week.
A mysterious stranger
A search for a lost sister.
A journey to find the truth
A gilded imprisonment.
Deadly tests of will
Vengeful gods
The dragons are returning
A formidable dragon king
Four best friends fighting to escape
A fight to regain lost memories
Demons are escaping
War is coming
“Friends like that only come around once in a lifetime”
“Your heart may be dark, but you bathe my world in light”
Found family
Sisterhood
Magic
Gods
Fated destiny
Forced marriage
Dragon shifters
Betrayal
Heartbreak
Love triangle
Twists and turns around every corner! This book kept me hooked the whole way through!
Without a drop of magic in her blood, our FMC Shay is dumped by her boyfriend, stranded, homeless, and penniless. Just in time for the Queen to decree that all women over the age of 18 must be wed by the end of the week.
A mysterious stranger
A search for a lost sister.
A journey to find the truth
A gilded imprisonment.
Deadly tests of will
Vengeful gods
The dragons are returning
A formidable dragon king
Four best friends fighting to escape
A fight to regain lost memories
Demons are escaping
War is coming
“Friends like that only come around once in a lifetime”
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this as an ARC from the author! Elizabeth you truly have a gem on your hands! I loved this book! It had everything I look for. A little slow burn, not crazy spice but just enough, magic, feisty FMC, Shadow daddy (literally) wolves, dragons, Gods, betrayals all around. Chef’s kiss! Shadow’s sassiness is so fun! Obviously Maxine stands out the most of the other 3. I’ll be honest at moments I did not like Maxine at all, then she grew on me 😂 she’s fiery and wants to cut some people down and I was wanting that for her! Loved all the girls’ friendship through the book. I did have my suspicions about the twist and I love that it went where I thought it would! I am excited for book 2 to get into more about the dragon shifters and the wraiths hopefully! Just a fantastic read all around.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was fun to read. I loved the relationships the 4 girls had, and it offered everything from magic, gods and dragons.
Plot: Shadow and 3 other women are taken to a castle where the 4 gods reside. Their task, from the head goddess: fall in love with your assigned god or die. So the girls make a plan: dont fall in love so the gods are cursed to purgatory. But is it that easy to not fall in love with a god?
Shadow's backstory was fascinating! Revealed ever so slowly it was well done.
But i think my favourite thing was how the girls grew to rely on each other, from the initial dislike. It felt very natural and was well done.
Im really intrigued to see where this story will go for books 2 & 3 as so much happened at the end that could make it go anyway.
Really enjoyable to read.
I received an advance review copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.
Plot: Shadow and 3 other women are taken to a castle where the 4 gods reside. Their task, from the head goddess: fall in love with your assigned god or die. So the girls make a plan: dont fall in love so the gods are cursed to purgatory. But is it that easy to not fall in love with a god?
Shadow's backstory was fascinating! Revealed ever so slowly it was well done.
But i think my favourite thing was how the girls grew to rely on each other, from the initial dislike. It felt very natural and was well done.
Im really intrigued to see where this story will go for books 2 & 3 as so much happened at the end that could make it go anyway.
Really enjoyable to read.
I received an advance review copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this book. We are in a world in which "gold" bloodmagic is the form of currency. Unfortunately our FMC, Shadow(Shay), blood is silver and has no magical properties. We find out the God's are cursed to find love within seven days or they die. Shadow is whisked away to the castle of the Gods where she meets 3 other women who have been chosen to marry the Gods. There she is told a prophecy that a Raven with silver blood is to end the Gods or end the world. Will she defey the Gods by refusing them or will she fall in love and possibly end the world?
My only complaint is there were too many secrets to seemingly move the story along without asking questions. The secrets did pay off in the end but I was angry reading until I found out the truth. Overall it was a good story that kept me interested and engaged. I will be awaiting book 2!
My only complaint is there were too many secrets to seemingly move the story along without asking questions. The secrets did pay off in the end but I was angry reading until I found out the truth. Overall it was a good story that kept me interested and engaged. I will be awaiting book 2!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book far exceeded my expectations! The world building was beautiful and intricately detailed without overwhelming the story itself. The descriptive language really helped bring you into the book and complimented the unique factors of the story. It was very easy to just get lost in the tale and view with your minds eye. Overall I enjoyed the book but I was not a fan of the ending. It felt rushed and underwhelming considering the buildup. With it being a planned trilogy I feel as though it could have been paced a bit differently to have a bigger impact.
I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoy more fantasy than spice and have an appreciation for witty banter, world building, lore and hierarchy.
I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoy more fantasy than spice and have an appreciation for witty banter, world building, lore and hierarchy.
June 26, 2026
Wow how do I even start this review
This book Made me feel things I havent in ages . The love story the plot was top tier and 5⭐️
It had all of my favorites things wolves ,Gods and dragon shifters
Shay or Shadow was beyond relatable for me her sassiness badassery was so refreshing for an fmc
Augustine boyyyyyyyyy he knows how to yearn and also very mysterious which I loved
Even though I called the plot twist halfway through I am so glad it was that
This book has me at a loss of words it was so good
Enemies to lovers ✅
Second chance romance 👀✅
The friend group was the cutest thing to me and it was so good to see how loyal they are to one another no matter what happened in the boom
I throughly hope there is a book 2 because I need it NOW!!!!
This book Made me feel things I havent in ages . The love story the plot was top tier and 5⭐️
It had all of my favorites things wolves ,Gods and dragon shifters
Shay or Shadow was beyond relatable for me her sassiness badassery was so refreshing for an fmc
Augustine boyyyyyyyyy he knows how to yearn and also very mysterious which I loved
Even though I called the plot twist halfway through I am so glad it was that
This book has me at a loss of words it was so good
Enemies to lovers ✅
Second chance romance 👀✅
The friend group was the cutest thing to me and it was so good to see how loyal they are to one another no matter what happened in the boom
I throughly hope there is a book 2 because I need it NOW!!!!
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