Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. I this story was definitely right up my alley. The only problem I ran into was a formatting issue with the e-ARC. I feel like the formatting had made this a bit harder to initially get into, but at no fault of the author. Great story with lots of twists and turns!!

Bitter is the Heart offers a unique take on horror that I believe will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. It's undeniably disturbing and features damaged, unlikable characters, but the writing is immersive and offers some dark unforeseeable twists. The story unfolds in a slow burn fashion, but the payoff is worth it in the end. Overall, while not my typical type of read, it was a uniquely creepy yet captivating novel with a chilling atmosphere, intriguing plotlines, and suspenseful build-up that keeps the reader consistently engaged.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I'll be honest, I DNF'ed halfway through because this horror novel was too painful to keep reading. Not because it was badly written, no, the opposite. It showed the pain childhood abuse and having to care for those who hurt you can do. Usually, I can take it, but I read it during a time in which too many books had the same topic and my heart couldn't take it.

Bitter Is the Heart by Mina Hardy is a powerful and haunting novel that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. Its exploration of trauma and resilience is both compelling and emotionally resonant, making it a standout in the horror genre. While its intensity and pacing may present challenges for some readers, those who appreciate deeply psychological horror will find much to admire in Hardy's work.

I excitedly requested an ARC of Bitter is the Heart based on my fondness for After All I've Done. There may be subtext of self-sabotage but I'm a fan of generational trauma narratives (and also love Shirley Jackson), so I jumped on Bitter is the Heart after reading the book's description. And let me tell you, Mina Hardy did not disappoint! Bitter is the Heart is one of my favorites for 2024 -- don't sleep on it!

This book was an intense ride from start to finish, with a fresh and unique approach that set it apart from anything I’ve read recently. The storyline was unpredictable, keeping me fully engaged as I navigated through its twists and turns. The intensity of the plot never wavered, and I found myself constantly eager to see what would happen next. It’s one of those rare books that feels genuinely different, offering a perspective and style that’s both intriguing and entertaining. If you’re in the mood for something that breaks the mold while delivering non-stop entertainment, this is a must-read.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc of this upcoming title!

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Bitter is the heart had so much potential but unfortunately I DID decide to DNF AT 20%

This is a creepy, dark horror novel that will probably give me nightmares but it was such an unusual and captivating novel that I kept reading! Tamar's mother, 77-year-old Ruth is living in a facility when circumstances force Tamar to take her home to live with her as her sister, Lovey lives in California with her husband and children. But very odd things begin to happen as one minute Ruth appears "normal" and the next she seems catatonic or Tamar finds her feet covered in grass and mud. She hires a caregiver but things continue to escalate as Ruth appears coherent and "normal" but Tamar knows this isn't what typical old age should look like. I Know a fair amount about Judaism but it would be helpful to really understand it as it's a fascinating look at a dybbuk and the forms it may take!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Tamar Glass grew up in a house where she was neglected at best and physically and emotionally abused at worst. Or maybe that wasn't even the worst. Maybe the worst was the thing standing over her bed, the whispers coming from the drains, the complete and utter aloneness she felt in knowing that there was nowhere to turn, and nobody to believe her. Maybe the worst was seeing how her mother doted on her sister while never sparing an ounce of love or kindness for Tamar. Or maybe the worst was yet to come.

After barely escaping with her life, she never looked back. She is close to her sister but has avoided her mother as much as possible for the past 3 decades. Until the night she awoke to her mother appearing in her bedroom, having left the elderly housing apartment in the middle of the night and walked barefoot all the way to Tamar's house. Now she is stuck with her. The elderly housing complex is kicking her out for unspecified reasons, although something sinister is implied. No other home will take her. Tamar feels duty-bound to care for her until other arrangements can be made, but the creepy happenings that plagued her childhood are starting again.

For me, the pacing was perfect. Secrets are gradually revealed, and disturbing incidents that at first appear to be the normal progression of dementia taking hold of a woman who was never particularly kind to begin with turn undeniably to supernatural evil. Mina Hardy has combined a dysfunctional family dynamic with Jewish folklore for the win. I loved this book.

Ruth Kahan has been evicted from assisted living housing and it’s her daughter, Tamar’s, problem to deal with. It’s never easy to care for an elderly parent but things are even more difficult for Tamar because Ruth used to abuse Tamar horrifically before Tamar ran away at age 18. Bitter is the Heart, by Mina Hardy, is not an easy book to read as it delves into the complicated feelings Tamar bears toward her mother and her obligations to care for a woman she knows is a monster.

Tamar is used to not being believed about her mother’s treatment of her, not even by her younger sister. No one ever seemed to see or hear the way that Ruth would punish her oldest child for every infraction, real or imagined. It’s only because we see things from Tamar’s point of view in this book that we can see how Ruth appears to be a charming, sometimes confused old lady in public but transforms into a spiteful creature determined to break Tamar down into a frightened, obedient minion. As Tamar struggles to balance her work, a reconnection to an old flame, and caring for her mother’s deteriorating health, we also start to understand Tamar’s assertion that there is something literally demonic about how her mother behaves in private.

I was scared for Tamar the entire time I read Bitter is the Heart. I was afraid for her sanity as old patterns—of violence and verbal abuse, of not being believed, of being seen as abusive herself—manifest themselves again. Ruth’s words and behavior made my skin crawl as her mood would flip on a dime from a mother who might want to make amends to her child to a creature that would say the most hurtful things and try to twist how people outside Tamar’s troubled home saw them.

This book almost didn’t need the supernatural element (which I won’t spoil) to put the frighteners on me. The sheer unpredictability of Ruth’s behavior was enough to make my blood run cold. That said, I appreciated the way this supernatural touch served to put a name on what was wrong with Ruth and with Ruth’s relationship with the world. Without the supernatural, Ruth’s actions could be diagnosed as a serious personality disorder—painful to witness and experience, but entirely mundane. Mental illnesses can be very hard to understand from the outside but everyone can easily understand the irrationality of monsters and the terror they can elicit in their targets.

I can’t say that I enjoyed this book as such, given that it freaked me out, but I can say that I appreciated its depiction of a tortured relationship between a child and a parent that I’ve rarely seen in fiction.

Tamar is 50 years old, recently divorced and coming to terms with her new life in a positive and sensible way. Then she awakes to find her ill mother standing over her bed, returning the fears of her childhood from both her mother and the horror of the house. But Tamar lives alone and her mother is supposed to be in a assisted living home. Her mother is soon kicked out, her removal surrounded by mystery of a nearby death and an unsettled manager. Tamar ran away when she was a teen to escape her mother only to find herself middle aged and taking her mother into her house. As soon as this happens she starts experiencing strange and unexplainable events, starting with lights flickering and cupboards opening, soon she finds herself sleepwalking and matter just get worse. Whilst dealing with her abusive past, she must also try and manage the new horrors that are occurring and even worse, find a way to save herself from the fate she was handed down from generations.

A current and past relationship between Tamar and her mom! It is very toxic and abusive! Tamar has tried to move on and now her mom Ruth, is back in her life.

If a house could love, it had not loved her. That was one truth, and here was another. Her old house had never been haunted. It had always been her mother.

Tamar finished with a self -conscious laugh. "That's how I feel about my mother. I don't love her, and my heart is bitter because of it, but I want her to love me. I'm starving for her to love me. So I keep eating my own bitter heart."

Does Tamar find closure? Stay with the story which has an incredible ending!

Traumatic, Psychological and Unbearable at times! 3 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. This book will be released 9/17/24.

A dark story about a profoundly damaged family that is also, it seems, haunted by a terrible dark presence that stayed dormant for years before returning to wreak havoc. There's a lot of tension, grief, and trauma here, interwoven with the supernatural aspect, and the strongest parts for me were the ones relating to the toxic, fractured relationship between a mother and her daughter.

Tamar is a very complicated protagonist. I found myself time and again questioning her motives and goals. Which is great for this story. The mother is just as enigmatic that the more you learn, the more you need to know. As you get further into the story, it progresses into this chilling and unsettling story of a grown woman grasping for the love of her mother. There's creepy moments, unsettling truths, and monstrous intentions behind everything. Would recommend.

Bitter Is The Heart by Mina Hardy is perfect for fans of Mothered by Zoje Stage. It follows Tamar, who after a traumatic childhood wanted nothing to do with her mother.
However when an incident happens at the assisted living facility where her mother lives, Tamar is faced with no other option but to take her mother in for a temporary period of time. Tamar's childhood trauma comes rushing back with each strange occurrence she experiences with her mother.
This book was tense. It wasn't necessarily scary, but the subject matter can be hard to read at times. I felt bad for everything Tamar she went through as a kid.

I also loved the psychological aspect of this book. It really left you to ponder-is this all in Tamar's head or is something supernatural truly going on? I honestly began to question who was really "losing it" during some scenes in this book.
Is this one on your radar?

Pick it up when it comes out September 17th.

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review

I enjoyed this story and it had some real chilling scenes. The story just didn't flow properly for me. But there was so much potential for it to be a brilliant horror story, so I am looking forward to seeing how this author grows as a horror writer. I am looking forward to her next novel.

Oooooh boy, is there some shit to unpack in this novel. Let's go!

If you love absolutely messy, over the top family dysfunction, especially one with an emphasis on mother/daughter relationships, this is THE book. Add in some possession/haunting and religion and there's a whole lot going on.

This one is NOT your typical horror. It is not scary in that spine-tingling, can't sleep without the lights on kind of way. That being said, it doesn't mean that this book isn't deeply disturbing and unhinged, because it absolutely is. Our FMC is honestly kind of a wreck all around, and when she's forced to allow her abusive and potentially mentally ill mother stay with her when she's kicked out of her retirement home, things get spectacularly strange so quickly.

The pacing in the middle of the book is pretty slow, there are short bursts of excitement, then we're right back into a slower burn. However, the end is totally worth it and I'm so glad I saw it all the way through.

I also loved the religious aspect. The main character is Jewish, and while I can't speak to the accuracy of the portrayal of Judaism, I learned so much and found it so interesting to have a possession that was unaffected by the typical Christian/Catholic means of resolution. I've never read anything like it before and would love to read more haunting stories that are not centered around Christianity.

I absolutely recommend you give this one a read if you are a fan of paranormal/family horror!

This book can be eerie at times as it tells a story about generational trauma, abuse, and substance addictions. It's not a scary story, but it can be disturbing. I think some people will be able to relate to certain aspects of this. If that's you, I hope you're like Tamar and can find your peace and happiness. It's a long journey, but it can be a good one.

I love a good horror book once in a while even if it’s not my absolute favorite which is why I requested this book. Now, I very rarely give less than four stars because I’m almost always entertained by books and can ignore little things that annoy others. I think I’m in a sort of book slump because I couldn’t ignore the slowness in the middle of this book. Tamar also really annoyed me, too, even while I felt for her. I hate it when characters lie to themselves, and Tamar really does. I did find the relationship between Tamar and Ruth interesting, and if there wouldn’t have been any paranormal at all, this might have been a better book, concentrating on generational abuse and addiction. Anyway, this is a well-written book with an interesting plot, but the pacing in the middle was way too slow for me and the end was kinda too fast after the slowness. I also wish we would have found out more in the end. I sometimes couldn’t keep my attention on the pages because it was so slow, but other than that, I think this would have been at least a four star from me. 3 ½ stars. It’s OK. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

This book was a wild ride. It started off with a disturbing moment that really made me say “wtf…” but also caught my attention.

The premise of this book was so strong, but at times, I felt like the story line fell flat for me. I loved the FMC, even though she was a bit of a mess. This book really drives you on a cripples relationship between mother and daughter, alcoholism, hatred, and a whole lot of paranormal chaos.

This book also has a lot of talk about religion, so if that’s not your cup of tea, this book might drag a bit for you. The FMC is Jewish, and growing up, she was never shown how to celebrate Judaism, so you learn a bit of that throughout the book.

The last 20% of the book was a lot of chaos and was very fun to read. It had the best ending, definitely felt like the author did the story justice.

This book is definitely not going to be for everyone, there are moments of violence in the book, but overall, I didn’t find the book “scary” a lot of parts were just gross…like turned my stomach gross, which I wasn’t expecting.

I’d say I would recommend this book for the right audience.