I really enjoyed this book. I appreciated the trigger warning at the beginning of the book and was able to skim through parts that were uncomfortable for me. Huge thanks to the author for this!

I’ve enjoyed Shanora Williams’ previous thrillers, but this one felt like a slog. I’m all in for messy characters, and I don’t need them to be redeemable, but there also wasn’t much in the way of intrigue in this book either.

Jolene, Dominic, and Brynn tell this story of a politician and the secret that can take him down. Jolene has been with Dominic, now the Governor, since forever but there is one thing she's never known. And Brynn does. The appearance of. a stalker at campaign events opens the secrets. And there are secrets, lies, and crimes afoot here. It's a nicely twisty thriller with good characters and a believable plot. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

This book was great! I love a political thriller & this was that & more. Dom is the upstanding governor….but, he’s got secrets (seems like they all do in this one!)! All his secrets seem to come crashing in on him.
I love a story where all the characters are morally gray, who do you root for?!? The Bitter Truth has it all… you’re gonna love the twisty, psychological thriller! Enjoy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc. Dominic and Jolene are the perfect couple. Or so it looks from the outside. He is the Governor, she his wife. Then Dominic gets some threatening messages and keeps seeing a lady he believes may be stalking him. This one had intrique, secrets, revenge and suspense.

Dominic is the Governor of North Carolina and Jolene is his doting wive. They seem to have it all. That is until Don starts getting threading messages. Sex, lies, murder, drugs, and politicians all make for a very suspenseful political thriller.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC. #netgalley #thebittertruth
Pub date: June 25, 2024

This had me HOOKED from page one! Multiple POV’s, the different timelines, the descriptive writing, the emotions. This was a true thriller, through and through. I loved that the twists were delivered all throughout the book keeping me deeply engaged for the whole ride.

Whats it about? — An upstanding political candidate. A determined stalker. A shattering lost weekend. Now, when his worst secret comes calling, how far will one man's elegant, all-too-devoted wife go to uncover the truth... or bury it?

Jolene is married to her college sweetheart Dominic Baker who is now in the running for governor of North Carolina. He thinks it’s sweet until his past catches up to him & things go awry. It all starts with a special visit at his campaign rally. From that moment on, Jolene is set on uncovering the truth and Dominic’s past is set on ruining his future.

Trigger warnings — suicide, SA, domestic violence.

Releasing 6/25, READ IT.

Thank you to Netgalley for the digital ARC, I thoroughly enjoyed.

4.5 rounded up to 5! This was my first read by Shanora Williams, & definitely won't be my last! What a wild ride.
Unlikeable characters, political drama, domestic disputes. A very juicy thriller with so many twists throughout the entire storyline. It would have been a 5 for me but some elements were a little too over the top/ far fetched that it was not believable in my opinion.

I sped through this over-the-top thriller! Shanora Williams sure knows how to create evil characters. The plot was interesting - I like stories about politicians. I sympathized with the female characters who suffered so much at the hands of predatory men. I am sure this novel will be a hit!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book. The novel will be published on June 25.

4.5 stars ⭐

This book follows several perspectives, couple Jolene (a first Lady with inheritance money and her own company) and her husband Dominic (governor),  and Brynn (a woman whom had relations with Dominic in the past).

This book follows these individuals as Dominic gets sent threats in the mail stating they "know what he did" in the past and how their stories all come together in a twisted thriller. This is a tale of secrets, lies, revenge, and what people will do for power and with power.

There are several trigger warnings in this book including misogyny,  rape, DV, emotional violence,  disordered eating, mental health, bullying, suicide, and racism. Please check these before reading this book.

Shanora wrote a book so intriguing I read it in one sitting. Shanora is definitely an auto-read author for me as I've loved the other books I've read from her as well.

If you want a book with karma, revenge, rich people drama, secrets, twists, and fast paced then this is for you! Thank you to Netgalley,  Shanora Williams, and Kensington Publishing Corp. for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Bitter Truth was a very good thriller I was instantly hooked on. With the way the story was written in multiple pov's, it was great to get new reveals without getting the whole picture about the dark secrets of politician Dominic Baker. It surely kept me invested in this rollercoaster ride. I just couldn't help but try to predict was would be unveiled and if everything was all as it seems with all the protagonists. Needless to say this novel had me on the edge of my seat all read long. I highly recommend this read!

** ARC provided via NetGalley by Kensington Publishing in exchange for an honest review**

This thriller was an easy 5 star read for sure! I absolutely love Shanora's writing; she keeps you engaged for the whole roller coaster ride.

Dominic and Jolene Baker are a power couple residing in North Carolina. Dominic has found himself in the governor's seat for the last 4 years and he's up for reelection. Jolene, his doting wife, follows him to his campaigns.

Dominic receives several threatening letters. Dominic has a secret, and someone knows. Dominic plans to do everything in his power to keep this secret hidden from everyone, including his wife. This secret could ruin Dominic as a person and as governor.

Jolene notices Dominic has become withdrawn. He's stopped talking to her and refusing to answer questions. Jolene is now making it her sole responsibility to find out what Dominic is hiding.

This book is full of twists and surprises. Definitely check your trigger warnings before reading. I would highly recommend this book, and any of Shanora's other thrillers without question!! Thank you to Shanora Williams and Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC!!

Everything is great for Jo and her husband Dominic, who is the governor of North Carolina. Until it's not. Dominic starts receiving threats about a secret he's been hiding. Dominic will do anything to keep his secret from coming to light. This book is a must-read! It will have you hooked from the very beginning. I loved the whole political power couple. There are so many lies and secrets! I couldn't put it down. I had to find out what happened because the twists kept coming. I can't wait for everyone to read this !

Some topics that may be triggering to some include:
date rape and body shaming/ED

Shanora is one of my drop everything I’m doing to read her books and she did not disappoint!

This story was full of a lot of twists and turns. I loved the multiple POVs and different timelines.

Also, one thing that was really different was this book actually had a “happy ending” haha I was like wow yes bad guys lose and good guys win!

Shanora Williams kept me gripped from page one of her newest thriller, The Bitter Truth. Jolene is married to picture-perfect governor Dominic but behind the facade is a history of abuse, deception and destructive secrets. When mysterious messages about an ex-girlfriend of Dominic's start appearing and the warnings that his past is catching up to him become more and more disturbing, Jolene has to make some life-changing decisions.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this fast-paced, compulsively readable thrill ride!

Just finished "The Bitter Truth" and wow! It's this political thriller with a dark secret that comes back to haunt a governor. Think suspense, revenge, and some crazy twists.

Overall, it was a fast and entertaining read, especially in the beginning. The author did a good job of building tension and keeping me guessing. The ending wasn't mind-blowing, but it tied things up nicely.

If you're looking for a quick thriller with a political twist, this could be a good pick! Let me know if you want to borrow my copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

How far will someone in power go to bury the truth? Told in four parts and 3 POV by Dominic, Jolene and Brynn. From the beginning, the story will command your attention! Shanora Williams is a great writing and always draws in the reader!

Jolene and Dominic are a powerful married couple. Dominic is the governor of North Carolina and running for a second term. Dominic starts receiving threatening messages. What is Dominic hiding in his past? Does his wife know? How far will Dominic go to bury his past?

"I truly felt like I'd died that night. And perhaps a part of me did--that bright-eyed, kind, and generous version of myself."

This book is twisted and crazy!
Revenge, Past Secrets, and Thrilling! 3.5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This book will be released 6/25/24.

So good!! I love anything by Shanora and this book didn’t disappoint!
A political candidate suspects he’s being stalked because of a secret he’s been hiding from his past. Dominic starts receiving mysterious messages and threats from an anonymous person stating that they know what he did and that they will release the information to stop him from becoming governor.
Meanwhile, his loving wife has some secrets of her own that she’s dealing with the consequences from as well.
Such a good book!

This is my first read from Shanora Williams. The plot was fresh. The characters were well developed and it had a twist that I didn't see coming. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Thank you for the advance copy of "The Bitter Truth." I love this book and the plot twist Shanora did again with this novel. Thank you again.