Read 7/15/24

I am finding more and more that I really enjoy these quick, hard-hitting thrillers. Don't have time for a long book? Want to read something in one sitting? Need to fill up a spot in your reading schedule? Kiersten Modglin's books are literally perfect for all of that. I've read a few of her books so far, and I think this one is my favorite. Drama, angst, mystery, and passion, this book has it all along with a few skeletons in the garden.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I am an OG fan of Kiersten Modglin and I started devouring her books as soon as they were released. I wanted to protest my love before I state that this one was not my favorite of hers. While I enjoyed it, I wasn’t entirely thrilled. I found the revelations behind the secrets somewhat underwhelming and while she closed the circle, it was just meh. I will remain a die-hard fan and have read all of her novels published since this one was released.

Kiersten’s books always jump right in with the suspense! They’re always quick, and I usually devour them in one day on audio, and this one was no exception. I enjoyed the dual POV and two narrators to get both present day Bridget’s and past Vera’s through her diary. Mysterious letters appear at the house that Bridget is forced to share with arch nemesis, Cole.

I’ll never pass up on a Kiersten novel.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my ARC of this book.

Drama drama drama with Flowers in the Attic vibes -- and I mean that as a compliment - if you loved Flowers in the Atric as a kid as I did you will also get a kick out of this one. Dramatic, thrilling, a bit melodramatic in a fun way, and well-narrated. As always Kiersten Modglin is original, fun, funny, and highly worth your time.

This book was fine! The narrators were good. It was intriguing most of the time and I think I didn't mind the relationship between Bridget and Cole (it was no Hemlock which I was sort of expecting although I am not sure why. I think I read a different review that led me to believe they had similar vibes and therefore I requested this book on Netgalley). The make it or break it point for me on every Modglin book I've read so far are in her endings. This one wasn't a complete flop. but it explored a trope that I personally hate which is why ultimately I just found this book average. Quick read, interesting premise for most of the book, and an ending that I could do without.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for my ALC in exchange for this review.

Thank you Netgalley & Dreamscape media for an ALC of Bitter House by KMod! Another great audiobook by Kiersten. I love the narrators that are selected for all of her reads. As always, I was able to binge this one in a day.

Bitter House almost becomes a character in this book, which I loved. Vera Bitter is dead, but what secrets of hers have yet to be buried? This one is full of family drama, secrets, all kicking off with an inheritance storyline. MCs Bridget and Cole are enemies? Frenemies? Hate-to-Lovers? You'll find out.

I have to say, I did NOT see the ending of this one coming and it left me wanting more. Please tell me there will be a sequel to this one?!

@kierstenmodglinauthor never fails to deliver a quick, grab your attention thriller, and this one is no different. When Vera Bitter dies, she leaves her house to her granddaughter Bridget and a good friends son, leaving them to be forced to get together and overcome their troubled history. Soon after arriving to the house, B and Cole start receiving letters an uncovering a dark past for Vera and the house itself. Read to hear the stories of their history unfold, while Bridget learns more about the grandmother who always treated her so harshly throughout her childhood. It’s a great little mystery mixed with some enemies to lovers@romance, both of which always have my name all over them. 4⭐️ read and fantastic audio

I needed a somewhat short book (under 6 hours) to listen to with my husband while traveling and Bitter House was the perfect choice! I needed a book that would keep his attention and this did the trick! Both my husband and I loved Bridget and Cole's suspense story. It kept us entertained and guessing at the ending. Lauren Ezzo & Melanie Carey did a wonderful job narrating.

This is the second book I've read by Kiersten Modglin and now I'm in the mood to find some more by her.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audio version of Bitter House and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 9 July 2024

I DNFed Bitter House at 65%. This is not actually a thriller like the synopsis led me to believe. It's more women's fiction than anything else. It's not spooky and it’s not suspenseful. There's a mediocre romance and a boring mystery. After falling asleep while listening to it twice, I decided to set it aside. The narrator's voice didn't work for me at times, and I felt like her over-exaggerated enunciation took me out of the story. She also is very prone to shout or sound mad when she reads tense conversations between characters, and since the two main characters really don't like each other in the beginning my anxiety was continually being triggered by how mad this narrator sounded. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to listen and I'm sorry it didn't work for me.

Bitter House was a great read by Kiersten Modglin. Bridget’s parents died and her grandmother, Vera Bitter, took her in. Vera was cold and uncaring from the moment she arrived at Bitter House. When Bridget graduated high school, Vera kicked her out without even saying goodbye. That was the last time that Bridget heard from her. She is filled with dread when she finds out that Vera has passed and she has inherited the family manor. Cole Warner is the son of Vera’s house manager and was also the bane of her childhood existence. She finds out that he is now her new roommate as he was left the house as well. She finds a letter that is full of secrets and deception. She is given more letters where she finds the secrets of the Bitter House. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.

I love all of KM’s books. This one was no exception. I did feel like it was slower to start than some of her other books but it picked up and she always had the best twists. The narration was good we as

Kiersten Modglin is an absolute queen of modern mystery. While the novel starts slowly, it quickly becomes unputdownable.

The backstory of this book is mind-blowing, and the mastermind behind it all is an incredible woman. To be honest, I didn't expect the subplot to be so phenomenal. All the characters were outstanding, the author brilliantly intertwined their lives to create an incredible story.

I won't spoil the amazing twists and turns in this novel, but I have to say, fellow mystery/thriller readers, this book must be your next read. Read it, enjoy it, and spread the word to give this book a fair chance.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with this advanced copy of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

Another amazing book full of twists and turns by Kiersten Modglin. Bitter House is a romantic thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and pulled on my heartstrings. This is a really fast paced book. There was not a single dull moment. I really liked what a wild ride it was. I recommend giving this one a try if you're looking for toxic family traits, twists and turns, and a side of romance. Lauren Ezzo and Melanie Carey did an amazing job narrating this story. The audiobook was gripping and easy to listen to.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I am not a new K. Mod reader and this short and sweet release of hers is in her typical fashion. Straight to the point without a lot of extra fluff. Which is great! I love that the author gives you the story, this one is a mystery with a bit of romance. We follow Bridget as she comes back to Bitter House after the passing of her grandmother Vera Bitter. Vera has left the house to Bridget and she soon finds out that Vera also left the house to Cole. Cole grew up in Bitter House alongside Bridget, as Cole's mom was Vera's house manager. Cole and Bridget never got along and now they are facing resentment from family members and uncovering the secrets that Vera has kept buried.
Again, this is your typical Modglin, you should expect plenty of twists and turns, though I thought the big reveal at the end of who the letter deliverer was, was pretty obvious. I loved the touch of having a few chapters being grabbed from Vera's journal, and the audio had a separate narrator for each voice. This really gave a little extra special something to the book's mystery and gave it a more human touch.

"Bitter House" by Kiersten Modglin, while engaging, leaves a mixed impression. The audiobook, narrated with competent skill, does bring the story's tension to life. Modglin's exploration of family secrets and psychological drama is intriguing but sometimes feels formulaic and predictable. The pacing is steady but occasionally drags, impacting the overall suspense. The narrator’s performance adds some depth to the characters, though it doesn’t entirely compensate for the novel’s less original twists. Overall, "Bitter House" is an average thriller that might appeal to fans of the genre but lacks the depth and innovation to stand out.

After the tragic death of Bridget’s parents, her grandmother took her in. Vera Bitter raised her from behind a closed door at Bitter House. After Bridget’s high school graduation, Vera kicked her out without so much as a goodbye, and Bridget never heard from her again. But after Vera’s passing, Bridget receives word that she’s inherited the family manor. There, Cole Warner—the son of Vera’s house manager and the bane of her childhood existence, is her new housemate.

Another short and sweet story from KMod! This one was more of a high-impact drama than a popcorn thriller for me, but it still made a riveting, entertaining read overall.

What I loved the most about this story was the atmospheric storytelling. I went through the emotional rollercoaster with Bridget, from the uncertain start of what she was gonna find at the Bitter House, to investigating the mystery, to finally finding out the truth. Yes, some of the mystery elements were quite obviously added for entertainment purposes, but I didn’t mind it at all.

And it wouldn’t be a KMod book without a bit of romance added in. This ended up being one of my favourite Kmod books.

Bitter house by Kiersten Modglin
Narrated by Lauren Ezzo; Melanie Carey

This is my second book by KM and although the first one did not impress me much, I liked the writing. That made me request for another book by KM and I'm glad I did give another chance to the author because this one did not disappoint.

I'm confused as to where to put this book because it has so many tropes. Close proximity against wish, enemies to lover, lived in the same house in the past., unequal social status, etc etc. It was part romance and part mystery thriller. The romance part had kind of turned me off but still the book is really engaging. I did not care for the characters much, I think that's what author wanted us to feel for them Well, most of them. This gave me the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes.

Overall I was hooked from the start till end. I wouldn't say there's anything special about this book but it's quite well written and engaging. It is slow paced at times but it did not bother me.

Narration is good, at the start it was overdramatic but in later parts I liked the narration by both narrators.

Thank you Netgalley and dreamscape media for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I love all titles by Kiersten Modglin and this one did not disappoint.
I love the narrator of this book! Such a lovely voice.
Once again Modglin has delivered an amazing book!
Twists and turns you don’t see coming, lies, deceit, betrayal and a drop of romance added.
I love the ending of this book and for sure did not see it coming!
Audiobooks have been a godsend to me now since having a newborn it’s easier to listen during feeds.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a suspenseful story with twists you don’t see coming!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ as always

I really enjoyed the narrator of this book. The story was very slow moving. Unfortunately this fell very short for me as has the last couple I have done by Kiersten. I just found my mind wandering too much.

I am a die hard fan of Kiersten every Single book I’ve ever read of hers I absolutely loved. This one was no different. The romantic suspense was written phenomenally. The characters, every one of them was relatable. There were twist and turns around every corner that kept you on the edge of your seat, wanting more.

The narration was wonderful, they truly brought the characters to life. I enjoyed the banter between the two of them, and you could feel their chemistry during their performance. I highly recommend listening to this audio. I will definitely be looking forward to the next narration done by these two narrators.