Our Gifted Hearts had me in such a tight grip from beginning to end. From the first page I was hooked—the atmosphere is so dark and eerie, and the writing is absolutely delicious.

It was one of those books that really stood out to me, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I finished reading.

The story was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions—it had me crying at points, breaking out in goosebumps and there were even the most shocking moments when I had to actually put the book down for a second to really take it all in.

The pacing was absolutely perfect, it felt like something was on the brink of happening with every single page turn. The only slight problem I have is that I was so deeply rooted in this book that I devoured it so quickly!!

All in all, a fantastic and memorable read for me, and one that I would definitely reread again.

💫Our Gifted Hearts
☆☆☆☆.75- 4.75 stars


💌 We follow Fortune Blythe, our protagonist dealing with a traumatic event, who gets accused of being a witch. Wanting to escape her fate of dying at the stake. she reluctantly accepts the marriage proposal of Mr Quickly and goes to his remote secluded manor in a deoslated island. As she settles in, every thing else is unsettling her- the residents, the painting and not to mention her hallucinations of syrange things. Slowly she begins to realise that something bad, something foul is happening in the manor and Fortune might be the one who is in the greatest danger.

🎀 Seldom an ARC blows me away but this one did. Our Gifted Hearts is a gothic horror, sprinkled with Brontë-esque vibes. It is a retelling of Bluebeard, done in a feministic and enjoyable way. The beginning of the novel itself will pull you in its enthralling grasps. Witchcraft, apparitions and even the Devil himself, were great elements of horror. But gothic theme was what made this so enjoyable. The crumbling manor with its cobwebs, secretive residents who are not what they seem to be and the mysterious hidden rooms with secrets bubbling behind it's walls will give you a chilling sense of dread. As someone who is an ardent enjoyer of gothic books, It gave me Crimson Peak vibes so much (in some ways than others) which made me love this even more. If you are looking for a gothic feminist horror novel, then Our Gifted Hearts is just the book for you!

I didn’t know what to expect when I first started this book. And after finishing I can say, I’ve never read anything like it before. From the first page on, the author perfectly sets the mood. The atmosphere throughout the whole book had me so intrigued and wanting to get all the answers to the unsettling, and even creepy vibes in the book.

Our FMC, Fortune, arrives on an island after agreeing to marry a man she barely knows after she gets accused of witchcraft at her village. At the new house, there’s only the old housekeeper that barely says a word, a young man who seems to avoid Fortune and a strange, eccentric woman who turns out to be her mother in law.

Strange nightmares visit her during the nights and while exploring the estate during the day, she keeps coming across things that unsettle her. But what can you do when you’re alone on a remote island with no one but strangers. (And Pudrie the friendly raven who keeps her company, and maybe even protects her) We love Pudrie.

When we first meet her husband, Isaiah, at the village he seems friendly enough. Fortune keeps thinking that maybe he’s one of the good men out there. At the new house, he’s barely home, leaving her alone for most of her time there. With every passing page you get more and more unsure about his intentions.

This story was so captivating. It was eerie and at the same time making you want to not put the book down, the characters, even the strange ones had you so intrigued you couldn't help but want to get to know them more. Jennifer Kennedy perfected the pace of the book, giving the reader just enough information with every chapter to feel satisfied while also not losing the interest to figure out the rest.

And the ending!!! So satisfying, I truly enjoyed every second of this reading experience.

This book is perfect for fall. An intriguing dark, gothic story that’ll get you in the mood for spooky season without being too heavy.

Thank you to angry robot and netgalley for the e-arc.

This book was a good companion on dark evenings with a cup of tea. We follow a young woman (though already considered a bit of a spinster) who has to escape her home village due to witchcraft accusations the only way available to her - marrying a man who she's just met and seems weirdly interested in a woman of lower social standing than him. Most of the book is set on his island away from everything, where not everything is as it should be, with the occupants of the house being the most peculiar element of the island.

The plot was a little slow to get started, but when the pace picked up about halfway through, and I found myself wanting to keep reading the chapters. The atmosphere of this book was the best part for me. I kept feeling like someone sinister was going to pop up around a corner at any moment. The main character grew on me, a quietly strong woman who flipped the dynamic when all hope seemed lost.

Good chilling, gothic, and fantasy vibes on an isolated island, topped off with ravens and some witchcraft. A bit dark at times (which I loved), so check out content warnings before hitting up this great debut!

This is gothic paranormal at its absolute best!
I completely demolished this book and oh my gosh, I want to start it all over again! One of my favourite reads for this year hands down, I just loved everything about it

It is creepy, mysterious and packed full of suspense.
The Devil, Death and Shadow Brides are lurking around every corner in this truly terrifying story.
Witchcraft and folklore elements combined with a fearless heroine make this book impossible to put down!

This novel isn't for the lighthearted as there are some very dark and unsettling moments so be sure to check your trigger warnings.

Our Gifted Hearts leans hard into Brontë-esque gothic horror, with Crimson Peak vibes. It’s dark, atmospheric, and full of tension. The premise of a girl accused of witchcraft immediately intrigued me, especially since I have a personal connection to that history—one of my ancestors was accused of being a witch and saved by her husband.

The gothic elements are vivid and moody, and if you love that haunted house aesthetic, unsettling family secrets, and slow-burn dread, you’ll find them here in abundance.

The prologue stood out with its lyrical descriptions and atmosphere, but the switch to first-person in Chapter 1 was a little jarring. Still, the story remained engaging. I especially liked Fortune and her mysterious deal with the devil and the birds. Mr. Quickly felt almost too good to be true, so my instincts were on alert, but I still found myself drawn in by his charm.

My biggest challenge was that I found the first act more compelling than the second. That was less about the quality of the writing and more about timing—I had just finished C.G. Drews’ You Did Nothing Wrong, which shared some overlapping themes.

Overall, Our Gifted Hearts delivers strongly on its gothic ambitions. Readers who enjoy Brontë-inspired settings, atmospheric horror, and stories full of secrets and shadows will love it.

I stuck this one out because the gothic vibes were SO GOOD but I wish I had known that the MC spends most of the book pregnant ESPECIALLY due to assault which could have either been mentioned in the book description or content warnings! The writing was a bit dull at times compared to the haunting atmosphere but the slow dread of the plot makes up for it to me. I wish the MC didn't brush off the nightly rapes from Isaiah because it seemed incredibly downplayed??? The end felt a bit rushed but wrapped up well.

I wanted a book with a slow-blooming chill, and this debut delivered. Kennedy’s prose is smooth and assured from page one, equal parts lyrical and tense, and Fortune is an instantly empathetic heroine. If I didn’t have to be a responsible adult, I would’ve finished this in a single sitting; the chapters slip by like fog.

Fortune, an almost 26-year-old content-to-stay-spinster, is accused of witchcraft in her village. To avoid hanging, she reluctantly agrees to marry the charming stranger merchant passing through the village and is whisked away to a mansion on a remote island. The welcome is…complicated: a frosty housekeeper, an overly effusive mother-in-law, a watchful groundskeeper—and an island thick with omens. Fortune finds comfort in the birds she’s always been able to coax close, even as the house itself seems to close in. When she learns she’s not her husband’s first bride, curiosity curdles into dread and she’s forced to choose who to trust—if anyone.

This is a classic gothic novel with a Bluebeard-tinged French folktale twist and a current of feminine rage, all with a fresh heartbeat: salt-stung air, whispers behind doors, sanity in question. Even when you suspect where it’s headed, the momentum never lets up. Kennedy’s writing makes it an easy, eerie page-turner, and Fortune’s quiet resilience lends real warmth beneath the shiver.

I highly recommend this—especially for readers who love their thrillers with candlelit corridors and a feminist spine. 🐦‍⬛🥀

Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I want to thank NetGalley and Angry Robot Books for the opportunity to read this book, as it was a literal dream come true. This story was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions and intrigue. The plot was incredibly unique, evolving into something wonderfully bizarre that was impossible to put down. What truly set this book apart was its distinct atmosphere—the weird, spooky vibes were expertly crafted and completely captivated me. I was also impressed by the main character, who made genuinely smart decisions throughout the story, a refreshing change that grounded the narrative. I was left completely amazed by this one-of-a-kind read.

A deliciously dark story filled with gothic fairytale elements.

Our Gifted Hearts is seductively haunting, calling the reader into its unknown and tense atmosphere, gripping their heart and not letting go until the ultimate conclusion.

Fortune, our daring protagonist, was someone I rooted for. I felt for her and the pains she had already endured by the end of the first few chapters. Even backed into a corner with no options left, Fortune is a strong-willed, kind-hearted individual who attempts to make the most of what she has left.

The slow unveiling of the unknown kept my heart squeezed as I held my breath with Fortune as the mysteries of the house, the housekeeper, the mother-in-law, and her husband come to light in gradient layers. Starting with her being whisked off to a remote island to the strange happenings occurring within the house, the novel never lets up the dark gothic vibes.

The soft world-building was excellent, leaving little breadcrumbs for us to mull over as we attempt to solve the true mystery of what's going on. Recommended for readers who enjoy dark gothic, dark romantic fantasy-esque, and slow-burn mystery.

Big thank you to NetGalley and AngryRobot for allowing me to read this ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It goes to show nothing is what it seems. Never judge a book by its cover, because everything and everyone can hide secrets. If you like witchy paranormal vibes this is a great read. I’m also a total sucker for an animal sidekick and they have a super cute one in this :)

After a couple chapters in I was totally hooked and couldn’t get enough of the never ending plot twists. Characters I thought I would love ended up making me want to pull my hair out and characters I thought were an enemy ended up having fortunes best interest at heart.

Check the trigger warnings prior to reading because some elements of the book could be difficult for some readers.

Where my creepy/spooky girls at? I’ve got a book for you to read!

I have been wanting a creepy book and boy oh boy did I get it.

Did I guess at where this story was going? Yes I did. Did it stop me from sitting at the edge of my seat, with my anxiety spiking? Not even close.

This book is a page turner. No hang on that’s not dramatic enough to describe this. It is a PAGE👏🏼 TURNER👏🏼 . That’s more like it.

I loved everything about this book. At first I didn’t think it was all that creepy and dark (this could be because I’m dead inside) until I started describing the plot to my non-reader husband who just looked at me blankly, and made me think ‘oh actually hang on, yeah this is pretty dark’.

I have been desperate for a creepy house story and this book scratched an itch that has been there for years! If you are wanting a dark/gothic/ spooky read this October, get this. I promise you it will not disappoint.

Firstly thank you to Angry Robot and Netgalley for the arc. Even though I got to read this in advance, this is my honest opinion.

The cover is what snagged me at first, the creepily beautiful design had me hooked! Then the synopsis Witches?, Witchcraft? Witch Hunters?! Okay you are reeling me in Kennedy! Then it was the title, it made me think of Frankenstein for some reason, which is a book I also enjoy. All in all this trifecta hit the nail on the head for this spooky loving gal. This is a Bluebeardesque story and that I was also interested in, as I have read two other Bluebird retellings this one hit the top two! I absolutely was obsessed with Kennedy's spin and take on the folklore story. I love the way she showed the evolution of feminine power in a man's world. She did a great job to build that connection with the MFC and the reader.

Fortune Blyth suffered the loss of a secret child when she was sixteen and vowed never to let another man touch her. Ten years later she is content with Ma and her beloved birds.

But when witch hunters come to town it isn't long before fingers are pointed at the spinster and she is forced to choose; stay and hang, or marry a man who can offer her safety far from home. She chooses marriage.

Her husband's island home is not the safe haven she expected, with a surly housekeeper and an eccentric mother-in-law to contend with. And there is something else; secrets hiding in the walls, demons creeping in her nightmares and something sinister in the concealed tunnels below the house. Perhaps she would have been better off hanging after all...

Like how could that synopsis NOT DRAW YOU IN?!? I truly enjoyed the character development of Fortune, I loved all the spooky, creepy elements, the story that twisted and turned. The mystery and suspense, and that ending!!!!!! It was very well executed and I definitely recommend especially if you like creepy witchyesque vibes or Folklore retellings/reimaginings.

This was an amazing book. I did not expect to like it as much as I did, but I'm so glad I gave it a shot! It reminded me a lot of the Bluebeard fairy tale with fun creature of the night vibes. Would highly recommend!

Thank you Jennifer Kennedy, Angry Robot, and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is my first introduction into horror and wow. This kept me wanting to read. I enjoyed the authors writing. Made it an easy read despite the content. I loved Fortune and Purdie!

Our Gifted Hearts is perfect for an October release. It leans into the darker side of fantasy with strong gothic vibes, atmospheric mystery, and layered emotional depth. There’s grief, secrets, and societal critique woven through every chapter, creating a story that feels heavy and haunting in all the right ways.

The dark romance simmers in the background but doesn’t overpower the narrative. Instead, the focus is on bigger, deeper issues like identity, class, societal expectations, and grief, which gives the story a more grounded and thought-provoking feel. While this is a little outside my usual reads, I was still totally pulled in. The slow twists and secrets that kept unfolding had me hooked, and I needed to know what was coming next.

Absolutely read the content warnings before diving in. This isn’t a light or fluffy fantasy. But if you love the darker, emotional, slightly eerie side of fantasy, especially in the fall, it’s definitely worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy! I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review which I’ve left on Goodreads and when it releases on Amazon.

Thank you Netgalley & Angry Robot for allowing me to ARC this novel.

In this story we follow Fortune, a women who suffers a horrific loss and makes a pledge to the Devil that she will never allow another man to touch her again.
When something terrible happens to her ex, she has to run away from everything she knows.
Saved by a handsome stranger, she finds herself isolated, alone, haunted by ghosts and scared for her life.

This gothic horror is filled with dread and has you questioning everything with each turn of the page. If you like creepy houses, witchcraft, ghosts and sacrifices then this ones for you!

Going into this book, I didn’t know what to expect but my good god. I think I will have nightmares about this.
It was soooo good. The pacing, the characters, the twists and turns. The prologue immediately drew me in and I couldn’t put the book down. Honestly, I could not tell you how everything was going to go until they happened, which is so nice because some books make it extremely obvious. This would definitely be a good spooky book to read during Halloween.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC.

What a fantastic book! I really enjoyed this haunting tale. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This is a tale of a woman in a desperate situation when she catches the attention of witch hunters. All she wants is to stay home with her mother and enjoy her affinity with birds. However she is forced to leave her home, marry a man she just met and travel to a remote island. Her husband is frequently away and she’s left in the company of his eccentric mother and two taciturn servants. She soon starts to see odd things and seems to be visited by an uncanny presence. This leads her to uncover some dark secrets about her new home.

I flew through this story. I was absolutely fascinated. There was just so much to love here. The setting, the creepy home on the remote island worked perfectly. It was haunting, eerie and the isolation compounded the fear the main character experiences as she starts to see uncanny things in her room. I absolutely loved that the main character had a power with birds. Her close companionship with a raven gave a layer of hope and broke up the loneliness she feels being separated from her mother. The way the secrets of the house were unravelled was paced very well. The final reveals were done so satisfyingly and the book was great from start to finish. The set up with the desperate choices just framed this so well for what comes next.

I had a fab time reading this! An excellent gothic novel.

Wow, this was such a great book! I loved the vibes and the pacing! Definitely an author to watch if you like Rachel Gillig and Ava Reid books.