*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"What are we going to do about the house?"

"Wait for all the secrets to be revealed, obviously."

Oh and what secrets they are; each one a chapter creating the shocking story of Bitter House that only the clever queen author of thriller mystery romance, Kiersten Modglin, could tell with a fast paced domestic drama theme.

Bridget is unhinged when her Aunt Vera dies leaving her Bitter mansion. Bridget lived there after her parents died but cold stern Vera kicked her out right after her high school graduation. She hasn't seen her in years. Bridget was "glad she had the Bitter name because that's what she was, bitter."

Even worse, upon entering the house she finds her nemesis Cole, son of Vera's loyal longtime live in housekeeper. Seems Vera left half the house to Cole. Before she can finish fighting with him the relatives start showing up threatening to fight the will. Vera would never leave her home to the niece she kicked out and the son of a servant!

Then the first letter arrives. Each letter leaves a clue to a dark secret about the house, signed, "Your Friend." As the secrets unfold, more questions arise and the tension builds to a reveal I never imagined but loved with every fiber of my being.

Voice actresses Lauren Ezzo and Melanie Carey were perfect in building the anxiety, upping the suspense and raising the stakes between enemies to lovers Cole and Bridget.

This mystery is a tale of "perception versus reality." It's best kept secret is, "Secrets are the most powerful things a woman owns." There's nothing bitter about this writer's creative storytelling.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Dreamscape Media via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I want to start by saying I am a fan of Kiersten Modglin! Her books are quick and easy thrillers that usually have a big twist you'd never see coming. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite do it for me. It was a little too on the romance side of things which I had a hard time connecting with coming from this author. That said, I am still looking forward to more works by her in the future!!

Coming to audio July 9, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my early audiobook!

A magnificent and beautifully written thriller that leaves you on the edge of your seat with goosebumps for the whole ride!

Bridget was "raised" by her grandmother, Vera Bitter, after the untimely death of her parents when she was a young child. As the town's wealthy and mysterious socialite, Vera did not have time to actual raise her and left that task to her house keeper, Eda. As soon as she graduated, Bridget found herself tossed out and virtually cut off. Years later, she discovers that her grandmother left her the Bitter mansion in her will. Upon returning to her childhood home, Bridget prepares to deal with all the legal and mental hurdles to manage the change in her life only to discover the house wasn't only left to her. In some twisted fate, the house was also left in equal parts to Cole Warner, Eda's son and Bridget's long time nemesis.

As the two enemies work to decide how to not only live peacefully but also brave the storm of Bridget's additional family trying to take the house away from them, mysterious letters begin appearing on the front porch vowing to uncover all of Vera Bitter's many sins. Bridget and Cole have to rely on each other as each letter takes them further and further into the twisted mysteries of the Bitter House.

The suspense element in this book was incredible! The conflict began from page 1 and the twists and turns along the story kept me wanting more the whole way. I devoured this book in one day and was SO incredibly pleased with the ending. I truly can't give any similar book recommendations without giving away the major plot twists and that would definitely take away from the book!

If you enjoy thrillers, who did it mysteries and GREAT SUSPENSE then you MUST read this book! I look forward to finding other works by this author because the writing style was fantastic!

Holy crap this book had me hooked from the very first chapter and had me glued to my seat the entire time. I finished it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down! Just wow. K-Mod does it again with another killer thriller with insane twists & turns.

Another home run by Kmod.
I absolutely loved this book!
It was short and sweet, filled with of suspense , and twist.
I absolutely love secret letters in books, a good who done it/ or did you really know this person mystery. I loved both Bridgette and Cole’s characters (although i wish i had a little bit of Cole POV.
The narrators did a great job showcasing the emotions too.
This book definitely kept me wanting more as each chapter went on.
I finished in just a few hours.

This book was interesting for me. The mysterious house and unlikable grandmother drew me in, quickly. I was stunned at the sudden and brief steamy romance scene that quickly went right back into the story. I love the "ridding the world of bad men" conclusion.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Kiersten Modglin's "Bitter House" is a low-key rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue. Modglin has an extraordinary talent for crafting unexpected twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Even though some plot developments might stretch plausibility, they only add to the novel's compulsive readability, making it a standout in the suspense genre.

The story centers around Beatrice, who inherits her grandmother's house aptly named "Bitter House". Letters from a "friend" and the dual POV of Beatrice's grandmother's journal entries unravel with the discovery of buried secrets and hidden motives. Modglin’s skillful character development ensures that each individual is compelling and multi-dimensional, drawing readers into their complex emotional landscapes. The protagonist's journey through the tangled web of deceit and betrayal is both pulsing and immersive.

Just when you think you have the story figured out, she throws in another twist that completely upends your expectations. These twists are crafted with such finesse that they feel both shocking and inevitable in hindsight, a testament to her storytelling prowess. While some of the plot twists might defy logic, they are executed with such flair and creativity that you can't help but be captivated.

The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that compels you to keep reading. Modglin's writing is crisp and engaging, pulling you deeper into the mystery with every page. The atmosphere she creates is palpably tense, adding to the sense of unease that permeates the novel.

"Bitter House" is a testament to Modglin's ability to blend psychological depth with thrilling plot mechanics. It's a novel that invites you to suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride, offering a reading experience that is as exhilarating as it is unpredictable. For fans of thrillers who love to be kept guessing, this book is an absolute must-read.

In conclusion, Kiersten Modglin's "Bitter House" is a masterclass in delivering twists and turns that are as shocking as they are entertaining. While some elements may be implausible, they are part of what makes this novel so irresistible. It’s a compulsive read that will keep you hooked until the very last page, deserving every bit of its five-star rating.

4.5stars.
My 1st Kiersten Modglin book and I loved it!
It's a short book but the story packs a hefty punch. Quick paced, suspenseful and full of meaning. I especially like the romance aspect in this book which was quite an integral part and not that common to see in a mystery/thriller but it worked so well.
The dual POV narrative between Bridgit in the present and Vera in the past via her diary entry gave a nice change of scene and definitely perspective on the story with revelation after revelation in the form of the mysterious letters that arrive at the Bitter house, it kept me on my toes listening to whatever was coming next.
The narrators did their job well and conveyed the appropriate emotion when called up. To say I felt the feels as they felt says it all really.
Highly recommended!
Thanks to Dreamscape Media who provided me with the audio version of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A solid story but missing some "wow" factor for me. Felt a bit like other things I have read! Writing style was superb, just not the story for me.

This was a slow burn, psychological thriller, where our protagonist lives up to the family name of Bitter, but for good reason. A toxic family is one of the harder things to overcome and be a healthy, well-adjusted adult, so Bridget's attitude is reasonable, if a little bratty. There are quite a few creep factors here, like an eerie old mansion, accusatory anonymous letters, secrets, obnoxious extended family, and a "roommate" with whom the protagonist has mutual feelings of hatred and distrust.

The story rolled out well, but the end twist was just too much. Way, way too much. Firstly, improbable and unrealistic. Secondly, reality doesn't have a magic button that negates years and years of neglect, rejection, and the dispassion of a mother-figure toward a daughter-figure. It turned around far too quickly and easily, with a whiplash-like emotional turnaround. The romance was okay, just this side of acceptable, considering Cole's mom pretty much took care of Bridget and the two teens were like warring step=children. Thankfully it wasn't as sibling-like a relationship so it passed as not being incestuous.

It's hard to not like a book that champions what this book does, but it felt too unbelievable to me.

Thanks to Kiersten Modglin, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read The Hollow earlier this year and hated it. But so many of the reviews for that book said it wasn't a good example of Modglin's writing, it was a departure from her usual plots and talent. I was curious to try her again, so when this galley popped up, I held my breath and clicked.

It didn't start well. Lots of angst and melodrama. But I told myself I couldn't DNF, I had to give Modglin a fair shot, so I persevered. And it got better. Once the protag, Bridget, calmed down and remembered she was a grown woman and should act accordingly, I enjoyed myself. The tension grew with each letter, and when the truth was verified---oh yeah, I was IN. Modglin kept the cast small, which limited the potential for red herrings, but I was so fascinated with the premise that I didn't care.

Overall, I agree, The Hollow is perhaps not a good introduction to Modglin's work. However, I wouldn't say it's a complete departure from her style; I have a feeling her idea of romance is angst and melodrama, which I don't care for. But if she can temper that and remember to give her characters some maturity, I might be reading more of her books.

And hey, if you feel attacked by this book---definitely go to a dinner party hosted by a group of women. You'll be fine.

Short but sweet!
A departure from the normal thrillers that KMod usually writes but just as good. Definitely more general fiction/romance with a touch of mystery. I finished this all in one go as I was hooked. The romance was obvious, but not over the top.

Initially I was not a fan of the narrator because of the way she over-acted the newspaper notice and it was incredibly distracting. Thankfully she calmed down or I would not have been able to finish the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance copy of this audiobook

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. I find Kiersten Modglin's books so binge-able and I love getting transported into the stories. This one was no different and I especially enjoyed the audio version. There was not just a twist, but an unexpected direction the story took but I never got fully invested in the characters and the reveal fell a little flat for me. Not my favorite of hers but I will continue to devour her books.

This was a great book. It was not what I was expecting. It was SO much better! I loved the whole story behind the Bitter house! The way the story was told and how the truth came out was awesome! Great read!!

I’ve recently discovered Kierstens work and I’m quickly turning into a fan. I just finished reading Hemlock which was an absolute 5⭐️ read for me so I had to snatch this up immediately.

“Bitter House” is giving “Heiress” by Rachel Hawkins vibes so if you enjoyed that book I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try!

Bridget has just inherited the Bitter home from her recently deceased relative, only when she moves in she finds out the house has also been left 50% to her arch nemesis Cole.

Her and Cole grew up together and have bad blood between them, but they are both too stubborn to sell and determined to remain in the home.

When Bridget starts receiving ominous letters containing concerning secrets from an anonymous source, she wonders how much truth they hold.

The story is separated between present day POV and past tales from the recently deceased herself. I enjoy the change in time lines as the secrets and stories unfold.

I enjoyed the premise and mystery to this book as well as the writing format. The only thing I wasn’t sold on was the relationship between the two main characters. They seemed to argue about childish things as full fledged adults, one minute Cole would be complaining that in the past he felt unwelcome in the home growing up and never got anything he wanted, shunned to a small room in the house. And then the next chapter they were discussing how he would be inviting a different girl from school home to hook up with every week, so it didn’t seem like he really had much to complain about after all 😂

Overall I did enjoy the read and I am a fan of this authors work so I will continue to dive into her other books. I still recommend Hemlock as my favourite book of hers so far it was a fantastic 5⭐️ for me!

Thank you to Dreamscape media, Kiersten modglin and NetGalley for the ALC!

Publish date: July 9th 2024

This is a quick read but it has all the things you expect from this superb author. This story focuses around Bridget and Bitter House, the home she's jointly inherited. Soon after her arrival letters began arriving telling her the secrets her grandmother kept. Will she keep them as well?

I loved the story of Bitter House by Modglin. I feel the content is too heavy to recommend to my students, but I loved the main character.

Kiersten Modglin is one of my favorite thriller authors, so I was very excited to receive an ARC Audiobook in exchange for this review. I liked the different points of view, especially one being in the past and one in the present. For me it took a little while to get exciting, but then once it did, it was fast paced and very well done. I would have never guessed the big family secret! I recommend this one and all others by her as well!

One dead matriarch, an inherited house and uncovered secrets and deception where nothing is quite what it seems.

Kiersten Modglin’s mysteries are never too long but they always pack a punch. I love the quick paced stories she tells - dark, twisty and things are never what they seem.

I enjoyed the way Bitter House was told as we get two POVs - that of recently deceased Vera Bitter and her estranged granddaughter, Bridget. Bridget was raised in Bitter house after the death of her parents by her cold and aloof grandmother. At the age of eighteen, Bridget was essentially kicked out of Bitter House and only returns after Vera’s passing.

I enjoyed the background romance, the family dynamics and Vera’s secrets slowly coming to light through anonymous letters and her journal. The narration was well done by Lauren Ezzo and Melanie Carey. I enjoyed listening and felt each voce really suited the characters as I had them in my mind while listening.

After Bridget’s parents died in a tragic car accident, her grandmother Vera Bitter took her in. Vera was always cold and uncaring. After Bridget graduated from high school, Vera kicked her out of the house and Bridget never heard from her again. That’s why Bridget is shocked to find out that she inherited the family manor after Vera’s passing. However, she did not inherit the house alone, Cole Warner, the son of her grandmother’s house manager, also inherited a portion of the manor. When a mysterious letter arrives, Bridget must set aside her dislike for Cole to work together to find out what secrets hide in Bitter House.

I am a huge fan of Kiersten Modglin, and this one did not disappoint. This one had a bit of a slow build, which is not typical for KMod, but I loved it anyway. The tension the delivery of each letter brings is palpable. I enjoyed the suspense build-up with each letter. I also enjoyed the multiple points of view in this story. The narration on this one was perfect with Lauren Ezzo and Melanie Carry each narrating a different point of view. I highly recommend this one to thriller fans, especially those that enjoy Kiersten Modglin books!