Author: Skyla Arndt
Genre: Young Adult, Horror
Series: N/A
Publication: September 2, 2025, 288 pages
Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *Thank you, Penguin Random House.
Violet Harper knows her best friend was murdered. Even if everyone else has labeled her death a “freak accident,” Vi is sure she’d been trying to tell her something right before she died. Cryptic messages about her friend’s elite boarding school, her whirlwind romance, and the mysterious secret society she was entangled in all point to a more sinister fate.
So, Violet does what no one else seems willing to do: She transfers to the same fancy school to dig into the society’s murky history and find out what really happened to her friend. She knows the truth might not be pretty, but what she doesn’t bargain for is the handsome boy at the center of it all—Calvin Lockwell, the brother of her prime suspect and descendant of the school’s founder. He’s obnoxious and privileged, and Violet can’t deny their haunting attraction. It soon becomes clear his family is hiding a dark secret that may not be of this world, and suddenly Violet’s following her friend’s doomed footsteps down the rabbit hole. Even as details emerge of a deadly curse plaguing the school, she can’t escape her true feelings for Calvin. But loving him may be the last thing she ever does.
MY THOUGHTS
House of Hearts has everything I enjoy in a novel: dark academia, mystery, romance, humor, lore, and a secret society. After the death of her best friend, Violet Harper enrolls in Hart Academy to investigate and uncover her friend’s murderer. What she never expected to find, however, was a century-old curse, hauntings, and a secret society all tied to her friend’s untimely demise. If this synopsis sounds familiar, you’re not wrong. I recently read another book with a very similar premise but the story and execution in House of Hearts were done much better.
House of Hearts blends elements of the paranormal, which I love, with horror. I had never read a young adult horror novel before, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Arndt combined both elements seamlessly, pairing them with an intriguing mystery and sharp humor that made for an engaging read. The humor, which I wasn’t expecting, was tastefully done and always landed at just the right moment. Despite being a fairly short book (about 288 pages), House of Hearts had me hooked from beginning to end. The world-building and character development were also well executed. I really liked Violet; she’s not only a loyal friend but also independent, smart, brave, and pretty hilarious. The supporting characters were just as strong; each one contrasted with the others, yet they all complemented each other perfectly.
If you’re looking for a spooky read this fall with a touch of Alice in Wonderland inspiration, I definitely recommend adding House of Hearts to your list. Even though it’s a young adult novel, there were a couple of scenes that gave me genuine goosebumps. I love when a book can have that effect, it means it’s doing exactly what it set out to do. Overall, House of Hearts was a great, fast-paced read, and the story tied up nicely in this standalone package.
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