Name: One Cursed Rose
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)
ISBN: 9781035417865

REBECCA. ZANETTI

The Captivating Dark Romantasy Inspired by Beauty and the Beast

One Cursed Rose

Rebecca Zanetti

For fans of Scarlett St Clair and Sarah J Maas, New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti explores the forbidden and the taboo in this modern twist on Beauty and the Beast – the first in a seductive new dark romance series set in a world where information is power, and those who control the flow of information live like gods… “Sexy and utterly engrossing!” — J.T. Geissinger, bestselling author of The Queens and Monsters series They christened me Alana—and while the name means beauty, beneath that surface is a depth I allow very few to see. I’m sole heir to Aquarius Social, a media giant about to succumb to an unseen enemy. My father’s solution is to marry me off to the son of a competing family. My reaction? Not a chance. Now I have just a week before the wedding to change my fate. Who knew the unforeseen twist would be an assassination attempt on me and an unwanted rescue by Thorn Beathach, the head of the rival social media empire driving Aquarius under? The richest, most ruthless of them all, the Beast protects his realm with an iron rule: no one sees his face. When he shows himself to me, I know he’ll never let me go. Thorn may think he can lock me in his enchanted castle forever, but I’m not the docile Beauty he expects. If the Beast wants to tie me up, I’m going to take pleasure from every minute of it . . .and we’ll just see who ends up shackled.

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️

Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️ 

Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒

 Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂 

One Cursed Rose is the first book in this authors newest series "Grimm Bargains" and it was first off so nice to see her get back to mainstream romance as she has been releasing romantic thrillers of late. I was so intrigued by this one, and I do love a wonderful fairy tale retelling and this one was definitely at the top of the list of very authentic showcased. I just adored everything that we got to see from this one. It had everything you can expect from a Beauty and Beast retelling and even has the library in it. So that was fun. But what we also get is a blend of magic as the heroine has some psychic witch like abilities connected to crystals and I just found all the world building so fascinating. Rebecca Zanetti succeeds in everything that she writes, and this book is no exception. 

The Shadows shift uneasily in the chilly night as I prowl against the brick buildings, rainwater dripping from the eaves high above. 

Alana is the heir to Awaurius Social, she is a bubbly entertainer and has a connection to the crystals that no one else has. There is a certain magical property in crystals and how her family has built such a prestige and successful business with it. But her father is pushing her towards a arranged marriage to secure a connection to another family and she has very little choice in the matter. But then where she least expects it, an assassination attempt is made on her life and she is taken captive by a secretive rich mogul, Thorn Beathach. Thorn knows that Alana is his and will always be his but there is one major problem ....he is cursed and is slowly dying from a ice curse that is making him slowly die from the cold and only certain crystals help hold off the curse. While Alana is in his large castle, they form a deep connection, but real life happens and Thorn is forced to let her go. But Alana and Thorn are meant to be even if fate has other plans...

One Cursed Rose is one of the TOP TIER Beauty and Beast retellings that I have ever had the pleasure to read. I have no idea what this author plans for this series, but I can tell you I will be preodering these and keeping a close eye on release dates from here on out. I am not sure why I took so long to read this one here, I kept putting it off but it was STELLAR in every way! If you love edgier romance or dark romance, then I can't recommend this one enough. So many fun aspects and it definitely was a retelling that just worked and Zanetti really capitalizes on the retelling aspect while also adding in her own twists here and there to make it her own. But I can tell you if you love more close connected retellings, you can't go wrong with this one. 

One Cursed Rose had quite a few elements in it that quickly won me over. First off...the hero. The hero, Thorn, is a man of mystery. There is so much darkness surrounding him. He is scarred and cursed, but he also keeps to himself. He is broody and grumpy and controlling. He knows Alana is his fated heart and stalks her at times. He also is a man you don't cross nor can hide from. He also has brothers who are just as secretive as he is. Then we have our heroine who is his opposite in every way. She is passionate, a go getter, bubbly and endearing and so hilarious. She loves to battle Thorn in her own way and seeing her find her own strength against this powerful man was a hoot. The spice in the book is top tier if that is what you need in a romance, then it definitely has that but these scenes can easily be skipped over if you aren't a fan of spice as well. The romance was so deep and rich in this story, and the author really developed the relationship building aspects to the story just right. 

There wasn't much I struggled with to be honest, and it was a five star. It didn't quite make it to 6 star status, but it was a close call. 

Superb in every way. It really was so well mastered and really developed the feels that you can expect from a Zanetti romance. 

One Cursed Rose is a utterly engrossing fairytale retelling that will make your heart skip a beat and deliver thrills and sexy vibes from beginning to end! A true gem! 

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance, Dark Romance 

Character Types: Alpha Male, Captive Heroine 

Themes: Pining Hero, Curses, Psychic Abilities 

Tropes: Fated Love, Fairy Tale Retelling-Beauty and the Beast 

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review. 

 Book Evaluation: 
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️ 
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
 Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂 
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
 Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
One Cursed Rose is the first book in this authors newest series "Grimm Bargains" and it was first off so nice to see her get back to mainstream romance as she has been releasing romantic thrillers of late. I was so intrigued by this one, and I do love a wonderful fairy tale retelling and this one was definitely at the top of the list of very authentic showcased. I just adored everything that we got to see from this one. It had everything you can expect from a Beauty and Beast retelling and even has the library in it. So that was fun. But what we also get is a blend of magic as the heroine has some psychic witch like abilities connected to crystals and I just found all the world building so fascinating. Rebecca Zanetti succeeds in everything that she writes, and this book is no exception. 

First Line 
The Shadows shift uneasily in the chilly night as I prowl against the brick buildings, rainwater dripping from the eaves high above. 

The Main Protagonists 
 The Hero: Thorn 
 The Heroine: Alana 

Summary 
Alana is the heir to Awaurius Social, she is a bubbly entertainer and has a connection to the crystals that no one else has. There is a certain magical property in crystals and how her family has built such a prestige and successful business with it. But her father is pushing her towards a arranged marriage to secure a connection to another family and she has very little choice in the matter. But then where she least expects it, an assassination attempt is made on her life and she is taken captive by a secretive rich mogul, Thorn Beathach. Thorn knows that Alana is his and will always be his but there is one major problem ....he is cursed and is slowly dying from a ice curse that is making him slowly die from the cold and only certain crystals help hold off the curse. While Alana is in his large castle, they form a deep connection, but real life happens and Thorn is forced to let her go. But Alana and Thorn are meant to be even if fate has other plans...

What I Loved 
One Cursed Rose is one of the TOP TIER Beauty and Beast retellings that I have ever had the pleasure to read. I have no idea what this author plans for this series, but I can tell you I will be preodering these and keeping a close eye on release dates from here on out. I am not sure why I took so long to read this one here, I kept putting it off but it was STELLAR in every way! If you love edgier romance or dark romance, then I can't recommend this one enough. So many fun aspects and it definitely was a retelling that just worked and Zanetti really capitalizes on the retelling aspect while also adding in her own twists here and there to make it her own. But I can tell you if you love more close connected retellings, you can't go wrong with this one. 

One Cursed Rose had quite a few elements in it that quickly won me over. First off...the hero. The hero, Thorn, is a man of mystery. There is so much darkness surrounding him. He is scarred and cursed, but he also keeps to himself. He is broody and grumpy and controlling. He knows Alana is his fated heart and stalks her at times. He also is a man you don't cross nor can hide from. He also has brothers who are just as secretive as he is. Then we have our heroine who is his opposite in every way. She is passionate, a go getter, bubbly and endearing and so hilarious. She loves to battle Thorn in her own way and seeing her find her own strength against this powerful man was a hoot. The spice in the book is top tier if that is what you need in a romance, then it definitely has that but these scenes can easily be skipped over if you aren't a fan of spice as well. The romance was so deep and rich in this story, and the author really developed the relationship building aspects to the story just right. 

What I Struggled With
There wasn't much I struggled with to be honest, and it was a five star. It didn't quite make it to 6 star status, but it was a close call. 

Narration 
Superb in every way. It really was so well mastered and really developed the feels that you can expect from a Zanetti romance. 

Overall View 
One Cursed Rose is a utterly engrossing fairytale retelling that will make your heart skip a beat and deliver thrills and sexy vibes from beginning to end! A true gem! 

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance, Dark Romance 
Character Types: Alpha Male, Captive Heroine 
Themes: Pining Hero, Curses, Psychic Abilities 
Tropes: Fated Love, Fairy Tale Retelling-Beauty and the Beast 

Book Perspective 
3rd POV 

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A mix of both 

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Rachel L. Detmer 
Greer Rivers 
Katee Robert 

Song This Book Inspires
My Blood by Ellie Goulding 

Recommendation For Reading Order
No 

Steam/Spice Explanations 

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. 

Narrators: 
James McAdams 
Felicity Munroe 


One Cursed Rose The Captivating Dark Romantasy Inspired by Beauty and the Beast

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Highlights