★★★ ½
I will never turn down reading a Grimm style fairy tale retold story. One Cursed Rose is a delightful new twist in modern times of Beauty and the Beast. Honestly, a castle with a huge library? I am there! Which room is mine? Alana Beaumont is a pawn yet she is not. There is a bigger game going on when she becomes the unwilling guest of legendary Thorn Beathach.
This story is creative and I enjoy the blend of paranormal to technology. This new series is intriguing and is starting off on the right note for me. There is a bit of "dark mafia billionaire" feel to it. This is a popular genre and plot device for romance authors. Ms. Zanetti takes this from a fresh perspective with her captivating writing voice. Her characters are relatable and interesting. Their experiences and learning more about their life helps me understand their motivation and appreciate them more. It does help that Thorn is a dashing sexy anti-hero. This is right up my alley for male characters I cannot help but adore. Yes, I have a type.
I would share more about what I like in this story but it would give away spoilers. Suffice to say that the conflict is well created and the interactions between the characters carry just the right snark for me. Recommended to romance readers who like it dark and a bit on the spicy side.
*provided by NetGalley
I also liked this. I'm curious to see what she does with the rest of the series.