Bitter House was a quick and easy listen with fantastic narration. I love Modglin’s books because they are fast-paced and keep me NEEDING to know what happens next. This one did not disappoint with its interesting storyline and I loved how it ended!

Wow! Per usual, KMod does it with her gripping stories. This is a romantic suspense story that takes a twist and will leave your jaw on the floor. The narrators were phenomenal. I loved their infliction, voice range, and personalities that they brought to each of the characters.

Bitter House (Audiobook) by Kiersten Modglin

I loved this Audiobook!

Bridget Lancaster has been estranged from her grandmother Vera Bitter for many years when she is contacted by her grandmother’s house manager telling her that Vera has died and left her estate to Bridget. But when Bridget arrives at Bitter House, she discovers that she is not the only one who inherited the house, Cole, the son of the house manager also inherited Bitter house and they have to share it.

When Bridget was a ten-years-old she just lost both her parents in a terrible car accident she moved in with her grandmother and twelve-year-old Cole was living there too with his mother They didn’t get along then, hating each other and Bridget is determined they won’t get along now. How will they share a house, as big as it may be, they can’t buy each other out as neither of them can afford it and they are both too stubborn to sell. Then suddenly Bridget starts feeling something for Cole that is not hate and mysterious letters start arriving on their doorstep from “a friend” that knows things about Vera Bitter that no one else knew.

I was hooked from the very first chapter and could not wait to find out what happens. This book was fast paced and I loved the ending. I loved both narrators too.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

After her parents died in a car accident, Bridget was raised by her distant, aloof grandmother, Vera Bitter, in their large family manor. When Bridget graduated from high school, Vera made her leave Bitter House and cut all ties with her.

So Bridget is shocked to learn that she has now inherited her estranged grandmother's home. She's even more shocked to learn that she must share her new inheritance with Cole Warner, the son of Vera's house manager with whom Bridget grew up. And hated.

Bridget and Cole are trying to figure out how to navigate their co-habitation situation when the first mysterious envelope arrives. Its contents point to dark secrets within the walls of Bitter House and frightening implications about Vera. Can Bridget trust the anonymous letter-writer? Should she trust her grandmother? Can she trust anyone?

This is a very short romantic suspense tale with very few surprises. The author does a good job of leaving breadcrumbs to keep the reader hooked and wondering about the contents of each of the letters.

I found the first few chapters difficult to get through because Bridget and Cole have so much animosity towards one another. It feels a bit childish. Fortunately, this does resolve as they become allies in solving the mystery.

Both narrators did an excellent job. I appreciated having a separate narrator for Vera's journal entries -- it enhanced the immersion.

I have always been drawn to books about long lost family inheriting mansions and family secrets. So many leave me feeling disappointed and underwhelmed, but this book kept me entertained and full of suspense from start to finish. It wasn't predictable, and the overall mystery was so intriguing to follow.

I loved the narration and the banter with Cole. A+ on the audiobook!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC! This was my first time reading a Kiersten Modglin book and it won't be my last! The story revolves around a granddaughter, Bridget who is left to solve a mystery after her grandmother dies. Bridget ends up learning so many things about her grandmother. I really enjoyed the mystery of this book - I did not see the ending coming. The narration was great too! This would a great listen for a road trip - it is a bit shorter than most audio books.

My only complaint about this book is the romance portion of the book which luckily was a very small portion of the book. To me, the romance felt forced and I did not think they were a good fit. Since it was a very small story line that did not take away from the book.

Bitter House is a MUST READ! I have loved all the Kiersten Modglin books I’ve read so far, but this one is my absolute favorite. The mystery the house holds, and the ways the secrets are revealed, is binge worthy. This book, at its heart, is a woman’s story of survival and strength.

This book isn’t just for thriller and domestic suspense readers, but for women’s fiction readers and romantic suspense readers.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story which was well done. I absolutely loved the narrator who performed Bridget’s sections. I listened to this audiobook at 2x speed (1.75-2x speed is my normal audiobook listening speed).

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced audiobook copy.

Good story, kind of predictable. Not everything is as it appears. I would probably not read this author again.

Vera Bitter has recently passed away. She has left her unique home to her granddaughter, Bridget and her manger’s son, Cole. Bridget was kicked out by her grandmother when she turned 18 and she has no idea why. And now she has to share this house with someone she never trusted, Cole.

Bridget and Cole despise each other. Or rather, Bridget has some trust issues where Cole is concerned. These two were raised together but the mistrust runs deep. However, these two are going to have to work together to unravel all the mysteries and questions literally dropped at their door. Someone is leaving mysterious letters about Vera’s past.

This author has recently become one of my favorites! She has some great intensity and unique situations. And this story is right at the top. I enjoyed all the secrets and the creepy house. I did feel the ending was a bit too neat and tied with a bow! But, getting to the end is twisty and not exactly what I expected! I love a book which has me guessing.

The narrators, Lauren Ezzo; Melanie Carey, are excellent!

Need a unique thriller…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I have read many K. Mod. books and this one just doesn't do it for me. I didn't get that suspense of "something big is coming". While it was a good read, it just wasn't like her other books that I can devour in a couple hours. The audiobook version is fantastic with different narrators for Bridget and Vera. But as a K.Mod. read, I'm a little disappointed that this one didn't blow me away.

*Thank you so much partner @dreamscape_media for the #gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

Kiersten Modglin has done it again! Lauren Ezzo is a new narrator for me and did an amazing job! Great story!

Publisher's summary
Vera Bitter is dead, but her secrets have yet to be buried.
After the tragic death of Bridget’s parents, her grandmother took her in. Vera Bitter raised her from behind a closed door—cold and uncaring from the moment she arrived 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. Which is why, when she receives word of Vera’s passing and discovers she’s inherited the family manor, she’s immediately filled with dread.
Those worries are amplified when she arrives at Bitter House after years away to find an enigmatic piece of her past waiting for her. Growing up, there was only one person Bridget distrusted more than her grandmother, and that was Cole Warner—the son of Vera’s house manager and the bane of her childhood existence. Now, he’s her new housemate.
Owning the house she was once forced to leave with a man she’s always despised forces Bridget to confront feelings and questions she’s been running from since the day she was driven away from Bitter House.
Then the first letter arrives.
And with it, a world of secrets, darkness, and deception is unlocked. Years ago, Bridget tried and failed to find sanctuary inside the shadowy halls of Bitter House, and as she struggles to imagine a future there now, she discovers a terrifying truth: behind the iron gate and stone walls of the old estate, nothing is quite what it seems. Bitter House has secrets and, if she can’t decide whom to trust, danger lies in wait.

Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this book!

Bitter House
By: Kiersten Modglin
Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo, Melanie Carey
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Release date: 07-09-24

Bitter House by Kiersten Modglin (audiobook narrated by Melanie Carey & Lauren Ezzo)

Bridget didn't have a great childhood after the fatal car accident she was in with her parents.  She was the only survivor and was sent to live at the infamous Bitter House with her grandmother. Vera Bitter was not the typical grandparent who spoiled her grandchildren with love and affection.  Brief interaction only when necessary was their relationship and she was raised by Vera's live-in assistant who had a son named Cole who was two years older than Bridget and seemed to get more attention in her grandmother's home than she did being her granddaughter.  Any interactions that Bridget and Cole had as children were negative which made her childhood growing up there even harder.  Immediately after Bridget’s high school graduation, Vera kicked her out of the house without so much as a goodbye, and Bridget never heard from her again.

Until now when she is told her cold-hearted grandmother passed away and shocked to hear that she left the huge mansion estate in her will to Bridget.  Oh, and she equally shares that ownership with Cole, the bane of her childhood existence.  He is now her new housemate since neither wants to sell the property nor afford to buy the other out.  Bridget is forced to deal with the past trauma of owning and living in a home where she was not wanted along with her childhood arch-enemy. 

You would think it was bad enough trying to sort things out with him, but they both have to deal with family drama over what her grandmother left to her living family.  Adding to those burdens the first of six anonymous letters is left in front of the door to their gated and locked property. 
Who has the code to get on the property and why are they leaving mysterious and scary notes? 
Was her grandmother doing illegal things and how does this person know of them? 
Are the dark secrets mentioned in the letter about her grandmother true? 
If so, are they in danger or is this just a ploy to scare them to sell the house to the family members who desperately want the house? 
Why after barely acknowledging her existence would she leave this huge mansion to her and the boy she fought with when she lived there? 

Bitter House seems to hide many secrets, dark deeds, and deception and is now being revealed to Bridget and Cole.  They need to put aside differences from their past and work together to determine what is true, and what is the end game with this information being given to them.  

😶Family Secrets
😾😻Enemies to Lovers
😘Slow Burn attraction
🔥Sprinkle of Spice
😨Thiller
😵Murder

Available NOW in audio, paper, and digital formats so if you like a quick mystery thriller, give this a go. I enjoyed this story.

I received an audio-book ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I just listened to this one. I listened in almost 24 hours. It was such a great story. It had me from the start. It was fast paced and engaging. This is suspense and a little bit of romance. I did manage to guess one part of the story, but the rest was a complete surprise. The narration I struggled with only because some parts were loud and some parts were so much quieter. I had to continuously turn the volume up and down. Other than that the narration was great. I listened to it at 2x the speed, because I had to know what was going on and I can't listen that slow. Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this one, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will be recommending.

This book did not start with as much of suspense as I thought it would have, but the twist! I got hooked and really enjoyed the story, I wanted to know what happened and what was happening next. Parts 2 & 3 kept me in suspense till the end and the truth comes out! A quote I loved and is applicable in our lives today, “Silence of the good is the weapon of the wicked” - Vera Bitter

I adore KMod, but this one was a miss for me. It was a slow burn, but it never really went up in flames. It dragged a bit and was a bit boring to be honest. This wasn't a thriller, but more of a mystery/suspense with a touch of romance. I didn't feel that the twist was a real twist. It seemed predictable and the natural revelation.

While I enjoyed the character of Cole, I found it hard to connect with Bridget. Since most of the narration was from her perspective, it made the book a bit of a struggle to get through.

This one was not for me, but I am excited to check out the next KMod book!

Bitter House was another top of my list new release - I mean that cover! Unfortunately, for me, I was expecting the story to be a lot creepier than it actually was. I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable and the pacing just felt so slow. Not a lot happened through the majority of the book. I mainly finished this one in order to give a review for my NetGalley. If not for that, this one probably would have been a DNF for me.

Narrators were fantastic though and I appreciate the audio version and their ability to make a very slow novel somewhat more interesting. 5 stars for the narration!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for an advance copy of Bitter House!

I found Kiersten Modglin’s "Bitter House" to be a great mystery suspense with a bit of romance. A quick and engaging read that kept me interested from start to finish. As a fan of Modglin’s quick reads, I was pleased this audiobook was just under six hours—perfect for a busy day or a couple of evenings. I finished it within 24 hours.

The story follows Bridget, who inherits her grandmother Vera Bitter’s house. After being forced out at 18 and facing a loveless upbringing, Bridget returns to Bitter House, stirring up old memories. The premise alone intrigued me.

Despite its shorter length, "Bitter House" delivers with an engaging plot and likeable characters. Bridget's journey back home is delivers some unexpected twists, and I enjoyed how the story unfolded. Vera, shrouded in bitterness, reveals surprising depth as the narrative progresses, which kept me fully invested. I also quite enjoyed that we hear from Vera herself along with Bridget’s POV.

Although Modglin is known for her thriller writing, I found the romance and suspense in this book were a refreshing change. The romance complements the main plot, enhancing the overall experience.

"Bitter House" is another fun read with its eerie atmosphere and gripping suspense. If you’re a fan of Kiersten Modglin, you’ll likely enjoy this book as much as I did.

It’s a yes for me!! 🖤

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Kiersten Modglin for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. It was my pleasure.

@deannsdailydrop

The plot was so intriguing and suspenseful. The characters are not likeable. While they have their own share of life. Sometimes the only choices you have are sinister.

Bridget moved in the bitter house with her grandmother after the death of her parents, though the death of her parents remains a mystery to her. Vera Bitter was always cold to her. The lady always kept secrets from everyone. And one day sent Bridget away abruptly. Bridget couldn’t understand but she moved on yet one day when she gets to know about her grandmother’s death and the inheritance of Bitter House has been passed on to her. But that’s not it, after going to Bitter House, more secrets waits for her and some twists were surprising and shocking. As well as Bridget also discovers Vera’s secrets.

Terrible things happens in this book. If you read this book, get yourself ready to discover unspeakable things. I liked Vera’s perspectives, she came off as strong while Bridget’s character was kind of not that strong. The narration was good.

Thanks to the publisher and author.

I recently had the pleasure of diving into the audiobook "Bitter House" by Kiersten Modglin, all thanks to NetGalley for the ARC edition. The gripping narration by Lauren Ezzo and Melanie Carey truly brought the story to life as I found myself on a long family road trip, completely engrossed in the Bitter family saga. The complex dynamics between matriarch Vera and her granddaughter Bridget added layers of intrigue and mystery to the plot. As the family secrets unravel, the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating what would happen next. This thrilling tale seamlessly weaves together elements of romance and suspense, especially in the captivating love story of Bridget and Cole. "Bitter House" is a must-read for anyone looking for a compelling and suspenseful read that will keep you hooked until the very end.

"Women are given a slip of paper for protection that means nothing."

You'll find a love story at the core of this book which isn't quite my jam, but it's not too mushy. :)

The book, though is hard to categorize. It's about grief and trauma. It's part mystery with some thriller aspects. It's a story about family and secrets.

I loved the audiobook version. It's a brief and interesting story that's well constructed. And, Vera Bitter is a badass. Heck to the yes. You go.