Melissa Albert's writing is so engrossing and atmospheric! OUR CROOKED HEARTS was such a fun YA novel with all the spooky/autumnal vibes -- perfect for this time of year!

You might have read Melissa Albert's The Hazel Wood and found out the magic of Melissa's writing then. Or maybe this is your first glimpse of the wonderful worlds that Melissa creates. This contemporary fantasy is an example of the best of YA--it is genre-bending, multi-faceted and gripping novel that casts a spell over you from the first page.

A twisted and witchy tale, handled in true Melissa Albert fashion, where the modern world is delved into dark fantasy elements that are both enchanting and uneasy. Another novel firmly establishing Albert as a master of contemporary fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for letting me receive an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I know this is two years too late but whatever. I really need to clear out my arc shelf and this is the oldest one on there.

I don't really have anything to say if I'm being honest. I tried to care about the plot, the characters, and the main conflict and I just didn't. I wasn't rooting for any of the characters because they all annoyed me so I started rushing through this about a third of the way through.

2/5

Not the best… not the worst… just okay. I liked the witchy theme. Told from different POV and different timelines- one much more interesting than the other. Feels a bit slow… It does pick up quite a bit during that last quarter though.

I LOVED this book. I could not put it down. Deliciously dark and creepy with compelling characters. I enjoyed that the main character's mom was a large part of the book, both as an adult and as a teen. I think it's so great to see adults appearing more in books, as they are a large part of teens' lives. I can't wait to read more of Melissa Albert's contemporary horror.

Wow! This was such an intriguing book! So sad it took me so long to get to it. Witches, past/present mystery, family secrets, creepy factor and more!
Ivy is coming home from a party with her soon to be ex but they almost run into a naked woman in the street. This is just the beginning of the strange occurrences that start popping up in Ivy’s life. These occurrences start to pull her back to her mother’s teenage years in 1990 Chicago and she is starting to wonder how those years are now affecting her. With the help of the boy next door Ivy needs to delve into her mother’s secrets to try to find a way to save her family.
The family dynamics and different timeline povs were great to move the story along. The tragic love story was an added bonus. It was so great to find a strong standalone fantasy story that truly captured my attention.

Melissa Albert is an amazing author! You are transported into the world she created and become so engrossed, you forget how long you were reading. Definitely recommend reading this one!

I heard a ton of great feedback about Our Crooked Hearts and when you add magic and family intrigue, I was sold! I really loved the Hazel Wood series too, so I was wicked excited to read Our Crooked Hearts! It was such a great story and I honestly had a hard time putting it down to perform basic human functions, like sleeping. I’d highly recommend Our Crooked Hearts for any fan of magic filled mysteries!

I started this book a while ago and I just can't get into it. It isn't for me. I think I missed that it's supernatural/paranormal and that's not something I'm interested in reading right now. It wasn't the vibe for me.

I chose this book to be on our summer reading list; it was the perfect mood and atmosphere. I adored the drama and mystery, and I really appreciated how complicated the women and their relationships were.

If you loved Hazel Wood by this same author gear up for this slow burn mystery read! Ivy’s life is literally changed in one night, she is contemplating breaking up with her horrible boyfriend and almost runs over a naked girl in the road…weird things start happening. Her mom and aunt (who are oddities themselves) disappear and magic, intrigue and even romance ensue! I definitely recommend this dark , witchy, unique gem to anyone who loves Melissa Albert!

Thoroughly enjoyed this dual timeline mother-daughter gothic. Interesting characters, dark but not too dark, great atmosphere and a page-turning mystery. Definitely recommended for fans of witch books and gothics.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced copy of this book to read.

I enjoyed the Hazelwood series and this stand-alone did not disappoint. Melissa Albert did an impeccable job of writing a witchy slow burn mystery with wonderful character development. I look forward to more from this author.

Not sure how it took me so long to get to this one but I was thrilled to finally dive in and Albert's writing did not disappoint. It was one of those books that had you hooked by the first page and I am happy to say I finished in less than 48 hours!

Okay, so witches are my catnip. You write a witchy story, ESPECIALLY a YA witchy story, and I am 100% going to want to read it. So, like, I was predisposed to like this.

EVEN SO. This one was dark and twisty and real but still magic and I kind of don't have words except... dead rabbits? Hidden secret memory box? Mom acting shady? Completely missing memories? I mean, you just need to read it already. It's witches AND it's Melissa Albert. It's a no brainer.

I was expecting a bit more of a fantasy in this book, but ended up getting more magical realism which was a pleasant surprise!

The story was pretty easy to follow even with the dual timeline and different POVs. The conflict and mystery were definitely interesting and kept my attention while I was reading, but I didn't find myself compelled to pick it up.

The writing style is very lovely and I think reading this made me interested in the author's other books.

This book caught my eye because I have read the author's previous books, as well as the plot. I love anything set in the 80s/90s, as well as stories dealing with generational magic/curses/etc. This fit right up my alley and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Our Crooked Hearts brings the essence of the 90's cult movie The Craft and blends it with contemporary culture. Ivy is far from perfect and is rebelling against her mother and all the expectations placed on her. The more she finds out about her mother the deeper she finds herself eerily similar to her. This book examines the secrets parents bury and the secrets children dig up. The plot is fast-paced and eerie, giving readers a visceral experience.