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.

This book is absolutely captivating. From the moment I started reading the first page, I was completely hooked. The plot is incredibly well-thought-out: magically horrifying. I was constantly on edge, never knowing what to expect next. Riccardo's character is fantastic, it's nice reading about a protagonist with a simple yet challenging life and to add in Lorenzo as a love interest was beautiful. Perihan’s manuscripts was everything, I love how detailed they are. She was truly a WOMAN. but at the same time I hated how she treated her husband-like he was gum on the bottom of her shoe. When the plot took a darker turn, I was completely blown away—truly impressive. This is by far one of the coolest books i’ve ever read. The only minor thing that bothered me was how quickly Riccardo agreed to move into Perihan’s old house. I prefer main characters to be a bit more stubborn, but that's just my personal taste. I have no doubt many people will absolutely devour this book. I’m eagerly waiting for its release. I need a paperback copy right now! 🤩

**3/5 Stars**

This novel offers an eerie, atmospheric tale about how far people are willing to go to preserve their dreams. Riccardo, a struggling writer, inherits his grandmother Perihan’s dilapidated villa in Milan, along with her unsettling butterfly collection. As he navigates the strange house, unearths her diary, and tries to understand her mysterious death, the story teeters between an engaging mystery and a somewhat confusing narrative. The slow-burn tension and peculiar cast of characters create an intriguing setup, but the plot sometimes drags, leaving more questions than answers.

What sets this book apart is its fresh take, blending elements of fantasy and horror in a way that feels unique. However, while the dark, Gothic elements of the estate are vividly described, the pacing and resolution didn’t fully deliver on the suspense built throughout. Some parts of the story felt disjointed, and I found myself wishing for deeper character development, particularly for Riccardo.

Overall, this book offers a unique premise with an interesting mix of genres, but it didn’t quite reach its full potential for me.

Thanks Netgalley and Harlequin for the arc.
3.5 stars.

Now this suspenseful horror started off strong for me with the creepy vibes but quickly fell flat. The main plot was the MC reading his deceased grandma's journal and times it was disjointed and confusing. As he was reading her writing it would go inside her memories and then in the journal she would talk about other memories within memories. Felt very memoryception to me. I got lost a few times in many of the references. I was just not following the time periods in the memories at all so the middle of the book really dipped for me. And the POV would be other characters and flash to their memories and then over to more characters. It just was abrupt in some places and sometimes I couldn't tell who was relaying what and the characters fell flat.

Now some good things. I enjoying the history and the culture and some of the explanations were okay to follow. The story idea was Intruiging and I'll never look at butterflies the same way again.

It had the right kind of creep/suspense factor I do enjoy and horror at the end but it took too long to get there.

Thanks again Netgalley and Harlequin for the earc!

A fun horror read with symbolism. Great read leading into spooky season.

Supernatural
Magical Realism
A touch of romance

I read half of this book and the characters and the setting never caught for me. I'm not sure why and likely it's just not the book for me.
I don't post negative reviews on my blog or elsewhere.

From the outset, Turhan establishes a haunting ambiance that envelops Riccardo and the crumbling estate he has inherited. The villa, reminiscent of faded grandeur, is not merely a backdrop but a character in its own right. Its neglected halls and the ominous butterfly collection serve as a metaphor for the complexities of memory and inheritance. Instead of a warm familial embrace, Riccardo finds himself steeped in shadows—his grandmother’s old friends, who linger with an air of secrecy, add layers of unease to his exploration of this once-loved home.
Riccardo’s journey is both physical and psychological. As he digs deeper into Perihan's belongings, the story unfurls as a rich tapestry of past and present, revealing heartbreaking truths and haunting figures from the past. The diary—an heirloom of sorts—holds the promise of revelation and serves as a thread that intertwines Riccardo's fate with that of his grandmother.
Tension escalates as threads of the narrative weave through Riccardo’s search for inspiration and the unnerving atmosphere of the estate. The butterflies, once symbols of beauty, take on a more sinister connotation, reflecting the duality of nature and art, creation and destruction. This duality echoes in the psyche of the protagonist, rich with anxiety and despair, as he battles not merely writer’s block but personal demons.
The pacing in "Their Monstrous Hearts" is both deliberate and suspenseful, allowing readers to linger in moments of dread and curiosity. Turhan expertly builds tension, encouraging page-turning with each new revelation. Themes of legacy, grief, and the creative struggle are explored with insight and depth, making the novel resonate on multiple levels.
What truly stands out in this novel is Turhan's ability to balance rich storytelling with existential inquiries about life, art, and the often-entangled relationships that bind us. By the time Riccardo's perilous journey reaches its climax, you will be left not just with answers but with profound questions about the nature of creation, belonging, and memory. Overall, its an enthralling read for fans of literary fiction entwined with gothic elements.

Their Monstrous Hearts by Yiğit Turhan is a haunting blend of gothic horror, magical realism, and family mystery. The story centers on Riccardo, a struggling writer who inherits his grandmother’s dilapidated villa in Milan, along with her enigmatic butterfly collection. As Riccardo uncovers his grandmother Perihan’s secrets through her unfinished manuscript, he finds himself entangled in a dark, supernatural legacy.

Turhan expertly weaves themes of grief, legacy, and the supernatural, creating an unsettling atmosphere reminiscent of classic gothic literature. The suspense builds as Riccardo’s investigation reveals eerie connections between past and present, with each revelation drawing him deeper into danger. The narrative’s slower middle is balanced by a gripping conclusion that leaves readers questioning reality and the nature of obsession.

With vivid prose and a fascinating exploration of butterflies as symbols of transformation, the novel stands out for its well-researched details. Perihan, though deceased, becomes a compelling character, driving much of the story’s tension and emotional depth. Fans of atmospheric horror, mystery, and introspective narratives will find Their Monstrous Hearts to be a chilling and thought-provoking read.

Turhan’s debut is a remarkable fusion of literary artistry and gothic suspense, with a supernatural edge that sets it apart in the genre. The slow-burn tension, coupled with its exploration of identity and immortality, makes this a must-read for horror enthusiasts and readers looking for something both eerie and intellectually stimulating.

The writing is captivating. This book begins like a memoir of the MCs grandmother (Perihan), with some historical fiction vibes. It was slow in the beginning, but then it turned into a very strange story. The MC describes it well, “Written from her perspective, it starts as sort of a memoir but quickly transforms into a wild fantasy.” The transition between thoughts/ideas/scenarios in Perihan’s manuscript felt abrupt; it was kind of chaotic at times and hard to follow. It seems the focus of the book is about Perihan’s obsession over beauty and immortality. It’s easy to blur the lines between reality and fantasy when you’ve become overcome with a passion to chase immortality. For me, the ending *can* be interpreted two different ways. Are we left with Riccardo or Perihan? Such a strange, yet entertaining book! 3.5⭐️

Their Monstrous Hearts stuck out to me due to the interesting synopsis, the beautiful cover, and the label as a horror story. As a huge fan of horror and all things spooky, I was very curious to read a story that combined some of my favorite things: horror stories, writing, and butterflies. The world building and buildup was well done and important information was told as a “story within a story” which I found to be very fun! However, the ending seemed to have a rushed feeling and everything seemed to happen quickly with very little detail and description. This seemed a bit jarring due to the care taken earlier to build up the world and the lore. There was also very little horror for a horror story. I wish there had been more to the book and especially to the ending.

Overall this was a solid 3/5, a decent little tale of the macabre, perfect for the start of spooky season. It was a decent story, but I just so desperately wanted more from it! Def worth the read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing team, and the author for allowing me to dip into this enjoyable read!🖤