Secrets, Trust, and Second Chances: House of Hearts by Skyla Arndt

I read House of Hearts by Skyla Arndt last month, and if I’m being honest, it was just… okay for me. Not bad. Not amazing. Just somewhere in the middle.

The premise had emotional promise. It’s centered on vulnerability, complicated feelings, and personal growth — themes I usually enjoy. I like romance that really digs into internal conflict and makes me feel something heavy or intense. This one had those elements, but it didn’t fully immerse me the way I hoped it would.

The writing is easy to follow, which I appreciated. It’s not dense or overly dramatic. But the pacing felt uneven at times. Some scenes stretched a bit too long, while certain emotional moments that could’ve hit harder felt rushed. I kept waiting for that deeper emotional shift — that moment where everything clicks — and it never quite got there for me.

Since it’s written in first person single POV, I expected to feel more connected to the main character’s motivations. I understood what was happening, but I didn’t always feel it. I wanted more layers, more internal tension, more complexity in the decision-making.

I’ve also seen similar feedback from other readers — that the concept is compelling, but the execution doesn’t fully deliver the emotional weight it hints at.

It’s still readable. It has its moments. It just didn’t leave a strong impression on me. And knowing my reading tastes, I tend to prefer stories that either emotionally wreck me or fully pull me into the characters’ inner world. This one stayed a little too safe for my liking.

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Title: House Of Hearts
Author: Skyla Arndt
Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: Dark Academia, Gothic Horror, YA, Romance
Page Count: 288 pages
POV: Single
Narrative Style: First person
Series Information: Standalone

Themes and Tropes

• emotional healing
• self-discovery
• trust and betrayal
• emotional baggage
• complicated relationships

Gore Level: 1/5
Minimal gore. It features gothic, eerie descriptions of a corpse and ritualistic hauntings.

Spice Level: N/A
This is a Young Adult novel restricted to “closed-door” tension and kisses.

Profanity: Minimal and mild, mostly limited to common “gateway” swear words and snark.
Violence: Moderate horror-themed violence involving ritualistic curses, ghosts, and a central murder mystery.
Substances: Occasional mentions of underage drinking at boarding school parties, but no heavy drug use.

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
An atmospheric, gothic mystery with a haunting setting, but ultimately too tame in its horror and romance for those who prefer visceral, high-stakes darkness.

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