1⭐️

DNF: 15%

The disappointment that I feel towards DNFing this is going to run deep for a while. Discovering Of Earthly Delights this year was my chance to really fall in love with Goldy Moldavsky’s work (she is a new author discovery for me). Unfortunately, that will not be happening. I was able to read 8 chapters of this before I could no longer find the motivation to read anymore.

My DNF solely stems from the character: Heather Hargrove. As one will discover upon the first chapter, Heather and her twin brother, Hart, lost their mother 3-6 months prior to Rose and her father moving to Meadow Falls. It is within the first chapter that Heather walks up to Rose a party (one that Heather is just a guest at) and insults Rose. Never mind that Rose was invited by her brother. And when Rose stands up for herself, Heather decides to make Rose her enemy. Things get worse when Rose decides to start working at the town’s Hospice, only to discover that Heather works there as well. When Rose tries to talk to her, Heather simply stares at her and then about 5 minutes later, grabs her phone and walks out the door. By chapter 7, Heather is spying on Rose and telling her not make friends with “Mr. Davis” (because he’s old and will die soon) and how she is uninvited to a “weird” garden party hosted by her family simply because Rose is asking questions about what goes on at these parties. I understand that Heather just lost her mother but this doesn’t give her license to be rude towards someone she just met. Heather Hargrove was simply annoying and I couldn’t stomach her anymore.

I am a very hardcore YA Book Lover but…I am honestly over bullying appearing in these books. It is bad enough that it happens in reality, why should someone have to suffer through it in a book?!?!

*Sigh*

Just because this book wasn’t for me, it doesn’t mean that it won’t be for the next reader. Take caution though. This book does start off super slow and the gothic atmosphere takes a while to appear/ feel. But again, if you find yourself wanting to read this then I honestly think you should.

Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for granting my request for an Advance Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest and personal opinion!!!

What an absolute wild ride this book was, and I enjoyed every second of it. Even the parts I couldn’t quite follow, but wow, did it all make sense in the end. There was definitely moments I felt uneasy while reading this, but there was also moments of pure whimsy and romance. The balance between them was pretty perfect and while I felt the book was moving too quickly in the beginning, little did I know the journey I still had left to read.

This was a departure from what I usually read, and I’m so glad I requested it.

First off - this cover is absolutely stunning and only adds to the over all feel of this modern dark gothic love story. Second, the writing in this book is simply beautiful and lyrical in the best sense possible adding to the over all feel of the book as much as the cover. Rose has moved to a new town to finish off her senior year. In this story filled with mystery, secrets, and darkness so much unfolds.
I really liked that there were multiple layers to the story and the author did such a great job at weaving a complete picture of all the characters so that everything came together.

Rose moved with her dad from New York to Connecticut after her parents divorced. On her first night there, she met a boy named Hart at the gas station, who she believed was destined to be the love of her life.

Rose & Hart’s relationship progression seemed like a series of montages: it’s going smooth and fast. Not too many details, just enough to show that they’re all over each other. At a glance it looks like normal teenage love, except there’s a lot of foreshadowing that gave a sense of foreboding. Not to mention the rumors that has been circulating about the vast property where Hart lives, Hemlock Hill.

First of all I loved the setting: it’s atmospheric and mystical, giving vivid imagery. And though I wasn’t invested with the romance (I could feel something’s wrong with it since the beginning) I liked its part in the grand scheme of things, how love turned into obsession. Kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put the book down. I enjoyed the slow build-up, how it’s gotten more and more unhinged as I turned the pages. The peak was neat and staggering.

However, this is my personal issue, I’m disappointed that this book features a zionist book which is not relevant to the plot at all. Like, no book titles needed to be mentioned and the plot wouldn’t be affected, but the author decided to put it anyway. So it’s saying something. Also… THE ENDING WHAT THE HECK. There’s no closure nor clear resolution. Could be a potential for a sequel but for now this seems to be a standalone so I’m mad about that lol. Please let this be a duology at least!!

Of Earthly Delights is such a devastatingly eerie story where you should always be careful what you wish for and never, ever try and bring back the dead.

This book had a really cool concept that was executed pretty well. Rose and Hart were great characters and god that ending was devastating.

4/5


Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

4.75/5 stars

This was the gothic YA story that I have been searching my entire adult life for. I would have devoured this as a teenager and I cannot emphasize enough how much I love gothic literature! The garden. The mansion. The brooding twins. I love dual pov and fully expected it to alternate chapters, but was pleasantly surprised when it was halves of the story in different pov; sometimes I find that the alternating every couple of chapters sets me on edge because I want more of one persons pov so this was a great choice in writing style. Although this is YA, the story was well written for adult audiences who want a gothic love story.


This is an arc review, but my thoughts are my own and not paid for in any way by the author or publisher.

4 ⭐️
I have an entire note on my phone full of my emotions while reading. If it didn’t have a ton of spoilers I’d include it. Lots of yelling. Lots of questions. Trying to figure out what was happening because I knew that other shoe was gonna drop I just didn’t know when or how. And boy. It dropped. I was captivated. Annoyed that I couldn’t figure it out quickly enough.

The writing is poetic and beautiful. Getting past, present, and future information in one paragraph is confusing but effective.

…it was amazing and I highly recommend it but only if you go in blind.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and Goldy Moldavsky for an eARC copy of Of Earthly Delights in exchange for my honest review.

4.5. This is so well-situated in the gothic romance sphere; the narrative is such that I couldn't stop reading and wondering what eerie event would happen next. The POV switch halfway through is also creative, as is the twist toward the end. The ending feels less satisfying, but overall I loved the story and the lore of the garden.

I walked into Of Earthly Delights expecting a dark, decadent descent into gothic madness—and I got it… mostly. The atmosphere? Impeccable. The vibes? Deliciously eerie. But I forgot this was YA, and my adult-reader heart kept craving something a little more raw, more unrestrained.

This story aches to be told through a more mature lens. Still, it’s a haunting, stylish read that lingers like a shadow at the edge of your vision.

Captivating book that pulls you in as you experience loss, love, and secrets. The author’s vivid descriptions of the garden settings in relation to Rose’s feelings growing for Hart, as well as her experiences is beautifully written. The slow reveal of haunting secrets keeps you wanting to read more and more. There are time jumps in the book that were a little confusing at first, but as you read further, you connect the pieces. Overall, I recommend this book to others for the descriptive and exquisite writing, romance, and mystery.

I loved this book. It is one of the rare recent releases that truly understands itself as a gothic romance, with all the accompanying glitter and gore. Moldavsky couldn’t have written a more intriguing story and the ending was utterly perfect.

Thank you to Netgalley, Henry Holt and Co., and Penguin Random House Audio for a copy provided for an honest review.

This story is told in third person and follows Rose for the first half of the book and Hart for the second half. Rose has just moved from New York City to Connecticut to live with her father after her parent’s divorce. She is not happy to leave her friends and the city for her last year of high school. Hart is a local and lives with his father and sister Heather on an estate with an immense private garden. There’s an instant connection between Rose and Hart though she seems more interested in the garden at times, as was I. Rose also quickly finds a friend in Lowell and has a sort of flip-floppy friendship with Heather.

I switched between the digital review copy and the audiobook while reading. The audiobook was narrated by Diana Bustelo and Michael Crouch who made the characters and the garden come alive.

There were so many things that I wanted to like about this book but just didn’t. The concept was so fascinating. I loved the idea of the magical garden and its abilities. At times, I really enjoyed the characters, but at others I found them confusing and nonsensical. Rose gave me whiplash, especially in the difference between her thoughts and her actions. I could understand her fascination with the garden but not with Hart or Heather. I enjoyed her relationship with Lowell until it derailed. Rose’s motivations and priorities were perplexing to me.

The story was haunting and atmospheric. I loved the concepts. There was an interesting twist at the halfway point that completely pulled me back into the book, thinking that it would change my mind. Unfortunately, I think this was a primarily a character disconnect for me.

This was very atmospheric and I enjoyed that a lot. The concept of exploring Hart and Rose's relationship from the POV of someone who essentially knows the future was very cool. Overall, though, I just felt sort of underwhelmed by this book. I don't know if it was when I read it, or that I ended up reading it slowly, but I just didn't feel sucked into this story or feel depth in it. It also feels very firmly YA (13-16yr old) but that isn't a negative point, just something to consider if you want to read it but are unsure if it will suit your tastes.

"Of Earthly Delights" was dark and atmospheric cottagecore. I loved the setting and was intrigued by the characters. Hart and Rose's relationship being told from the perspective of someone who already knows what's fated was such an interesting concept.

While I enjoyed it, I was overall left a little underwhelmed. I think there was a little lack of depth that made it feel just a little too juvenile to stand up against an adult perspective. However, I can see myself at 13-16 being obsessed.

How far would you go for love? Rose Pauly has been moved from her home in New York City to Connecticut where she meets Hart Hargrooves... and it's an immediate connection. Yet as her life blooms around him, something feels off... and Rose begins to realize that Hart is hiding a bigger secret than she could have ever imagined. Hart's love for Rose feels bigger... older... and when he shows here the magical tree that grants wishes.. she begins to question what his wishes are... and how she's involved in them. This was a fun gothic read with an obsessive love story. I love the whole time loop/wishing aspect of the story. I wish there was a bit more to that ending but it was a fun read overall!

Release Date: May 13, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This book grabbed me right away. I enjoyed it far more than I expected to. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Loved this from start to finish! I can’t wait to recommend this to friends and family who of course love this genre. The characters fit so perfectly and I realized how good it was getting just after 15% of reading.

Goldy you are a genius!!! I can’t wait to read more from you!

Love, loss, power, and grief are the themes of 'Of Earthly Delights.' It's an ultimate love story that goes beyond death, but are the choices made along the way just or just selfish.? This story was told in a heartbreaking way with language and imagery as lush as the very flowers of the Wish Garden. I fell in love with Rose and Hart and didn't want their story to end. Maybe it hasn't. 4.5 stars.

I'm a big fan of Moldavsky's novel, KILL THE BOY BAND, so I was very excited to hear she was publishing a gothic romance set in a mysterious garden. Moldavsky is a talented writer. I found OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS to be well-crafted and beautiful on a sentence level. Throughout the story, she plants seeds, leaving hints at the twists and turns to come. I felt surprised with each reveal, finding the earlier hints to have an effective payoff. The novel expresses intriguing themes such as obsession, grief, and autonomy. It's going to stick with me for a long time.

Thanks, Fierce Reads, for the arc!

Dnf 71%

I don’t like animal death in books. I get that once in a great while it’s necessary for the story, but there are very few exceptions—VERY FEW. And there better be a damn good reason. OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS does not have a great, good, or any reason for the dog’s death. I get that while it’s there, but with everything else going on with the characters and plot, there were so many other options instead of dog death and describing what the dog looks like lying there.

I think I’m extra mad about this book because I was intrigued by the story and characters.

I’m bummed. I enjoyed JUST SAY YES by Goldy Moldavsky, and this one hooked me from the beginning, but I have no desire to finish it.