In a contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, 'A Curse So Dark and Lonely' by Brigid Kemmerer explores the story of Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by an enchantress, Rhen must repeat the autumn of his eighteen year until a girl falls for him and breaks the curse. Each autumn concludes with Rhen transforming into a destructive beast. Amidst this, Harper, a tough and determined girl from Washington, DC, gets transported into Rhen's world while trying to save someone on the streets. Together, Harper and Rhen must navigate the challenges posed by the curse and opposing forces that threaten to devastate Emberfall.