This is, yet again, another case of the cover made me do it! This cover is so gorgeous, and when a buddy read formed on Instagram, I had to join! The beginning was so interesting. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their back story, but it felt disconnected at times in the middle. It was a little too long, in my opinion, but the ending was so good! I think this will be a good one to talk about with book clubs!

A perfect spooky season read, as a horror fan, this gripped me and the ending was amazing!! Such a unique plot line with getting a second chance

It is a haunting story about the boundaries people will cross to keep their dreams alive. Riccardo receives the unexpected news that his grandmother has died and leaves him her villa in Milan and her renowned butterfly collection. He hopes the move to Milan will inspire him to complete his manuscript, but only to find the villa in disrepair. His grandmother's old friends add to the unsettling atmosphere, as do the strange happenings in the greenhouse. When he discovers his grandmother's diary, he uncovers clues that could explain her death and inspires his writing.

The book's strength lies in its atmospheric writing and the sense of tension that builds with each chapter. The characters, particularly Riccardo, are well-developed. Riccardo's journey is about facing his fears and limitations. The supernatural elements add depth to the narrative, which is more than just a typical suspense novel. The intricate plot makes it a standout story that will linger in your mind. I enjoyed this book so much.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA.

Thank you @htp_hive @_mira_books_ #partner for the gifted eARC of this one!

This book starts out with a bang as I was completely engrossed into Riccardo’s sad life and the mystery behind his grandmothers death. The vibe is dark, dreary and has quite the sense of foreboding from the get go! I love the idea of a dead relative and then trying to piece together the part of their life that was unknown. This book was a case of where I really liked the beginning, loved the ending but the middle was pretty long, a bit repetitive and somewhat flat. I will say, if the middle could be shortened or spiced up a bit this book would be a wonderful horror book for me! The ending made the middle worth it for me because what ensued was a dark and chaotic, quite intense family story! 🐛🦋 If you’re a horror fan I say give this one a go because the ending is quite epic!

Their Monstrous Hearts is a dark journey that just keeps you guessing till the very end. Perfect for the spooky season. Marvellous!

I was so excited to read this for a buddy read planned through a week! It was hard to stop myself from reading forward because I was intrigued on what was going to happen.
This book has a graphic literary fiction feel with some blends of horror. What I will say is it made me think of butterflies differently! 🦋
That ending though?! It definitely took me by surprise!!

This book is definitely a slow burn. Usually, I do not like gothic horror novels which is exactly what this is. However, the creepy elements of this story kept me interested. Also, there is a bit of a luxurious component to Perihan which kept me hooked. Not to mention that the story is SO incredibly original. The idea of getting a second chance at life is appealing to just about anyone. I have not read a story like this one before. I posted my review on my social media site roughly half of a week ago. I gave the story 3.5 stars when I posted my review. However, I think this is a 4 star book after thinking about it. This is a great story.

Their monstrous hearts is a well thought out novel that supported some dark themes that added to the plot really well. There are minor pacing issues about a third of the way in but not enough of an issue to lose interest in the story. The main character is complex and I appreciated that.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: April 08, 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

First of all, the cover stole me but as I started reading I realized the backdrop for this story and the eerie dark atmosphere of this book took my heart. Every single page I anticipated what awaited me and it definitely kept you moving along through the book. I found this to be a steady pace read and I moved through in in 2 days. I do want to mention that this is horror as you would imagine it, there was more to it than that. We meet many characters throughout this book. We have Perihan who returns to Milan per his attendance is required after a mishaps occurs. We get different perspectives which is great as well. This book is full of twists and turns as well as a feel that will leave you perfectly unsettled the entire time. This is a must have on the TBR.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Eerie, Family Secrets, Relationships, Milan Setting, Magical Realism, Supernatural

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Harlequin Trade Publishing for this e-arc copy.

Turhan skillfully blends elements of sorrow, inheritance, and the otherworldly, crafting an unsettling ambiance that evokes the essence of traditional gothic literature. As Riccardo delves into his investigation, the tension intensifies as he uncovers unsettling parallels between the past and present, leading him closer to peril. It is a gradual buildup that is definitely worth experiencing.

This haunting novel pulls you into a world where secrets, dreams, and obsession blur together, creating a deeply atmospheric and unsettling experience. Riccardo’s journey to Milan, lured by the promise of inheritance, quickly turns into a chilling exploration of his late grandmother’s life and the strange world she left behind. The villa, with its eerie butterfly collection and decaying greenhouse, feels like a character in itself—filled with dark secrets and a haunting presence that keeps you on edge.

The story masterfully weaves mystery with psychological tension, as Riccardo discovers more about Perihan’s life through her diary, revealing dark truths and hidden desires. The writing is vivid, painting a gothic, almost dream-like picture of a once-glamorous world now crumbling away. If you enjoy novels that explore the boundaries of ambition, art, and madness, this book will captivate you from beginning to end!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. Both the title and the concept sounded really cool but the execution was totally lacking. There was way too much exposition and telling, and barely any plot or anything of significance happens in this novel, making it impossible to get invested in the story or care about the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and the author for this ARC! Publication date is April 8, 2025.

***2.5 stars rounded to 3***

I had a hard time finishing this book. It’s advertised as horror but it wasn’t giving me the creepiness I was craving. The middle of the book dragged on and the only thing keeping me going were the journal entries from Perihan. The characters fell flat for me and didn’t add any dimension to the story. I also think a smoother transition to the character’s flashbacks would help greatly. The flashbacks felt abrupt and random, some of them not adding to the plot in any way.

After Riccardo's grandmother dies, he is set to inherit her estate which is badly needed after living in squalor and not able to make ends meet. When he goes back home to Milan he finds his grandmother's diary and hears an account of her life that seems more fiction than fact. However, two worlds collide and he realizes the danger he is in. I'll never think about butterflies the same way again.

This was a very enjoyable read. Very surreal, the setting was beautiful, as were the many descriptions of the butterflies. The character of the grandmother was very well developed and fleshed out. Riccardo felt a bit less fully developed, I did find myself wondering why it took him so long to question the strange goings on around him and/or to try and get away. I did enjoy the lovely prose of this book. Based in a small horror book store, I will be ordering this title, and recommending it to those who enjoy a surreal ride.

From the moment I started this book, I was hooked.

I had no idea what I was diving into, but I was pleasantly surprised. At times, I even questioned if this was really a horror novel—it’s unlike anything I’ve read before. The story is absolutely captivating and beautifully written, pulling me in deeper with each page as I became desperate to find out where it was all leading.

Perihan’s journey kept me glued, wondering what fate had in store for her. I needed to know more about Riccardo, how everything tied together for him, and even characters like Lorenzo, Maurizio, and Licia—people who might seem peripheral but had roles that intertwined perfectly. I was completely invested in this world, and although it didn’t scream “horror” right away, I could sense the tension lurking, waiting to strike when least expected.

I wouldn’t call it a slow burn, but it masterfully builds up the tension, drawing you to the edge of your seat, waiting for that inevitable moment when everything unravels. The pacing is perfect, giving just enough to keep you wondering what’s around the corner without giving too much away too quickly.

I won’t spoil it, though. I went in with almost no expectations, and that’s exactly how I think it should be read. This isn’t your typical fast-paced, monster-filled horror. It’s a creeping, atmospheric tale that grips you with its depth and leaves you wanting more. By the end, you’ll be questioning the same thing I was:

What would you do to make your darkest desires come true?

Their Monstrous Hearts is a heart stopping story drenched in dark glamour and mystery that will make you never look at butterflies the same way again...

Riccardo is a starving artist, a writer without inspiration living in an apartment in Paris with overdue bills and past due promises to his literary agent. One day a mysterious stranger shows up at his door with shocking news, his grandmother Perihan has died and has left her villa in Milan to him. Desperate for a miracle and a way out of his meager existence, Riccardo goes to Milan to inherit the villa. While there, he discovers that his enigmatic grandmother, with her glamorous wardrobe and strange butterfly collection, has left her murky past behind for Riccardo to discover along with her peculiar staff and eerie villa. When Riccardo immerses himself back into his grandmother's life, he is forced to grapple with unbelievable stories and nightmarish events that threaten his sanity and soul.

Their Monstrous Hearts starts off as an Italian gothic, with a crumbling villa, inheritance, and death of a long lost grandmother only for it to morph into a fantasy horror involving monsters, murder, and magic. Butterfly taxidermy is juxtaposed with designer gowns, creating an avant-garde atmosphere of occult allure. The butterfly is used as a metaphor for transformation, rebirth, and freedom within the immigrant experience and through the lens of identity. I thought the character development in this story was strong with Perihan in particular, a devilish diva whose journey from immigrant to boss lady was fascinating and had me eager to learn more about her life. Her lust for freedom and control was insatiable and showed the monstrous side of human nature. Each of the characters in this story started off either lost or displaced only to be cocooned in self-belief, and then transformed into a new version of themselves. The delicate balance between life and death is twisty and disturbing in this macabre tale.

Their Monstrous Hearts is a sinister spectacle with a powerful metamorphosis involving mystery, eternal life, and winged creatures.

Riccardo, a writer who is struggling to get by, is told his grandmother has passed and her home in Milan is his. He leaves without hesitation only to find the villa is not what it used to be. I absolutely loved this novel and was pleasantly surprised with feelings of dread arose at some points throughout the book. I definitely recommend this book to horror fans, especially those who want to try horror for the first time.

I went into this arc blind, and I am glad I did! I enjoyed this read and horror is right up my alley, so it was home for me. If you like creepy books and context clues put thoughtfully through the chapters/book, then this is for you! I can’t wait till this comes out next year!

This is a book that I wanted to love so badly, unfortunately I struggled with it. The writing style just wasn’t my favorite and it threw me out of the story. I did love the first chapter but once we are introduced to the MMC, it lost me.