So this isn’t my usual genre, and I found it a little tricky to get into. I also hadn’t realised it was a young adult novel, which explained why I struggled to fully engage. The writing itself is strong, and the book explores themes of identity, family, romance, and grief. I think it will resonate with a younger audience, but it just wasn’t the right fit for me. I’m sure many readers will enjoy it. Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy — this is my honest opinion.

This was a slow burner for me but I soon became interested as the story unfolded about a woman called Tess who lives on a island called Stenland which has a curse on the women. The curse is when 3 women wake up with 3 black lines on their forehead and if they look at anyone with their eyes that person turns to stone.

Tess loves Soren but cannot get over the fact her mother turned Soren's parents into stone and struggles with her feelings so decides to leave Stenland to protect Soren. But no matter how hard she tries she cannot forget about her love for Soren but is afraid if she returns she will end up turning him to stone during the Skeld season which lasts 3 months.

This is a love story which pulls at your emotions and would highly recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Curse for the Homesick totally pulled me in. It’s a heartfelt story about love, loss, and wanting to escape the place you’re from, even when love makes that complicated.

Tess grew up in Stenland, where her mom accidentally turned Soren’s parents to stone. So yeah, falling for him was never part of the plan. But of course, they can’t stay away from each other, and things get emotional fast.

The writing is super beautiful but still really easy to read, not slow or overly flowery. The magical stuff is just enough to make the story feel special without being confusing. And the characters? So real. I actually cared what happened to them, which doesn’t always happen.

It’s one of those books that sticks with you after you finish. Just really well done all around.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This isn't really sci-fi or fantasy - more a bit of magical realism in the occassional and random curse on the womenfolk of Stenland. Tess has always wanted to leave Stenland - an island nation in the middle of nowhere, north of Scotland and south of the Artcic Circle. But when she does she is drawn back by her love for Soren. She resists this pull. I enjoyed the book very much. Some of it is very sad and some of it is frustrating. Tess is not a very likeable person and, with her two close friends , forms a strange little clique. With thanks for the offer of an E-ARC to read and review.

"We should all endeavor to be awed once a day"
Have you seen these TikTok Challenges to determine your TBR and one of the popular challenges is to find a blurb from your favourite author on a new book?
Well, I found out that Meg Shaffer loved "A Curse for the Homesick" and that was all I needed to know. How lucky was I to be approved for this title? Thank you so much. I went into this already feeling as if this would be one of the highlights of my year. I ignored all my other books and started this one right away!
The reader gets to know Tess and her life on Stenland. A little Island close to the Faröer Islands with a curse. Sometimes women wake up with black marks on their faces and anyone in their eyesight turns to stone. Tess's mothers killed her crush's parents in that way, which complicates the whole relationship.
I enjoyed my time reading about Stenland and the curse but unfortunately some of my icks in romance novels are represented in this novel. Miscommunication, insta-love,... I never got what drew Soren to Tess. These, plus my dislike for the main character, have me deciding against a 5 star rating. Apart from these aspects, I'd enjoy the rest of this eerie, and full of yearning, page turner.
"That's why he's so sad"
"I think he's just heartbroken to be leaving her," he said."They love each other. That's the point. Love amplifies normal experiences."