Book Review: Cursed Boys And Broken Hearts By Adam Sass

There’s just something about summer romances that can cure a reading slump. Adam Sass is back with his latest YA romance, Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts! And we needed to get our hands on a review copy.

Before we jump into the review, let’s go over some Easter eggs we found in Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts. Our main character Grant Rossi’s ex-boyfriend, Micah Summers, is the same character as the protagonist from Adam Sass’s The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers. We love this tie-in! And the concept of a cursed rose in this book parallels Prince Adam/the Beast’s curse in the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast.

From LGBTQIA+ representation to addressing teen depression and therapy, we fell in love with this summer read. Here are three things we love about Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts!

Book Overview: Cursed Boys And Broken Hearts

Content Warnings: homophobia, depression, mention of grandparent deaths, divorce, trauma

Summary: Grant Rossi is never getting a happily-ever-after.

Ever since he was a kid and made a wish on his family’s iconic Wishing Rose, his romantic relationships have been cursed to end. Following his most recent (and extremely public) dumping, Grant is languishing in a hot Chicago summer, abandoning his beloved design projects to sink back into depression. But when his family suggests spending the summer helping his aunt and uncle refurbish their beautiful but rundown B&B and vineyard—the home of the Wishing Rose that changed everything for him—Grant decides to accept. Maybe he can finally find a way to recover his creative spark…and break his curse. 

But things at the vineyard are not what Grant expects. The place is in almost total disrepair, and—even worse—the person his relatives hired to help is his former childhood crush, Ben—the first boy who broke his heart.  

As their chemistry sparks and the summer heats up, the wedge between them can’t be ignored. But while they race to restore the B&B in time for the beloved local rose festival, grumpy but lovable Ben starts to break through Grant’s carefully crafted defenses. Can Grant find a way to overcome his curse and open his heart, even when it’s broken?

Grant’s Character Development

In the beginning of Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts, Grant Rossi fully believes that he’s cursed. That he’s the reason why his relationships never last long. But after weeks of staying with his aunt and uncle at the Vero Roseto Garden Inn & Vineyard, he’s able to reevaluate his curse. It’s taken him five years to find out what really happened between his ex-boyfriend, Hutch, and longtime crush, Ben, when they were 13. As he starts to trust himself not to “ruin” things, he can finally break his curse. And we couldn’t be more proud!

Aunt Ro

We all have those nosy relatives who mean well, right? Well, Grant’s Aunt Ro won us over with her lovely personality. She’s been running the B&B and vineyard ever since her mother passed, even when it’s in danger of closing down. And she’s been a safe space and supportive of Grant through everything. It’s partly thanks to her meddling that Grant and Ben find their way back to each other. Aunt Ro and her husband Paul have such a sweet marriage. We were gushing over them almost as much as the main love interests.

The Rose Festival

Maybe we’re too much of a romantic, but seeing Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts culminate with the annual Rose Festival healed us. We can only imagine how breathtaking Grant’s flower gown designs looked, along with the centerpiece for the Wishing Rose bush. The atmosphere feels so dreamy, and we wish to experience something similar in our lifetime. We also loved the full-circle ending between Grant and Ben as they make another wish with the Wishing Rose. Only this time, they have a better understanding of themselves and are learning how to be a couple for real.

Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts by Adam Sass releases July 16th, and you can preorder a copy of it here!

What do you think of Adam Sass’s Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts? Is it one of your favorite books by Adam Sass yet? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

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