Where Your Next Great Escape Begins
You made it—and we’re so glad you’re here! Each month at Novel Pairings, we curate a vibe-filled experience that combines your love of stories, your curiosity about wine, and your craving for meaningful connection.
Here’s what we’re sipping, reading, and listening to this month
Don’t Forget! Our July Book + Wine Club Meeting is Sunday, July 27 at 4 p.m. PT
The Book
Lush, Mysterious, Enchanting.
"The Amalfi Curse" by Sarah Penner is a bewitching dual‑timeline tale that follows modern-day nautical archaeologist Haven, who dives into sunken shipwrecks on the Amalfi Coast only to unearth a centuries-old legend of sea‑witches, powerful sorcery, and a forbidden love that echoes through time—perfect for those craving atmospheric romance, magical realism, and rich historical detail that will have everyone eager to read.
Packed with lush setting, suspense, and layered storytelling, it's a must-read that will spark deep conversation about legacy, sisterhood, sacrifice, and how the past shapes the present—plus it’s steeped in the kind of immersive research Sarah Penner is renowned for.
Whether you’re in the mood for vivid seaside escapism or tales of ancient power and modern discovery, The Amalfi Curse delivers—with magic and mystery that demands to be discussed over coffee (or wine!) post-reading.
The Wine: A Crisp,
Southern Italian White
We’re pairing The Amalfi Curse with a category of wines this time around because that’s the beauty of Italian wines:
There is something for everyone!
A fantastic wine pairing for The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner would be a crisp white from Campania—think Falanghina or Fiano di Avellino—or an elegant Costa d’Amalfi rosato. These wines reflect the novel’s sultry Mediterranean setting: bright citrus, salty minerality, and sun-warmed stone that evoke the sea-drenched cliffs and hidden secrets along the coast.
Fiano di Avellino is a white wine from Campania that’s known for its elegance, depth, and age-worthy structure—think ripe stone fruit, honeyed hazelnut notes, and a whisper of volcanic minerality. It’s lush without being heavy, rich with history, and made from grapes that thrive in the same coastal hills that inspire The Amalfi Curse. Just like the novel, Fiano is romantic, layered, and just a bit mysterious.
Falanghina, on the other hand, is typically lighter, brighter, and more citrus-driven—think lemon zest, white flowers, and sea breeze. It’s perfect for a warm beach day or breezy aperitivo hour, while Fiano leans a little moodier, more complex—ideal for a story steeped in secrets, curses, and centuries-old intrigue.
In short:
Choose Fiano di Avellino if you want something more textured, nuanced, and atmospheric—like the novel’s darker twists and historical threads.
Go with Falanghina if you're after something zesty, crisp, and coastal—more like the salty air and bright lemon groves of the Amalfi setting.
Either way, you’re drinking in the soul of southern Italy.
Remember, you must be over the age of 21 to purchase alcohol.
The Tunes
“An Enchanting Summer Soundtrack”
Lose yourself in the mystery and magic of the Amalfi Coast with this lush, sun-drenched playlist inspired by The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner. Curated to echo the novel’s enchanting atmosphere, this 30-song journey blends dream pop, Mediterranean folk, ethereal vocals, soft electronica, and coastal classics—capturing the tension between beauty and secrets, light and shadow.
Ideal for summer reading sessions, slow mornings, or golden-hour escapes, this soundtrack drifts through hypnotic melodies, breezy rhythms, and hauntingly beautiful textures. With artists from around the world it's the perfect companion for stories steeped in curses, revelations, and sea air.
This is YOUR Space
This membership is your invitation to pause, unplug, and pour into yourself. Whether you come for the books, the wine, or the community, you’ll leave feeling a little lighter, a little more fulfilled—and ready to come back for more.