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!

Another great novel by Kiersten Modglin! Psychological suspense at its best. "Bitter House" may be one of my new favorites by her. Quick and easy but fantastic!

Quick and enjoyable listen. Even though this is on the shorter side, it packed a lot in!

Bridget learned that she has inherited her estranged grandmother’s house. Vera had kicked Bridget out when she turned 18 so that, along with the fact that she has to share it with a boy she grew up with, came as quite a surprise. Then the first letter arrives, which opens up decades old secrets about the house and Vera.

Some thriller, some mystery, some suspense. I loved the big reveal and thought this was a great plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I’m a huge Kiersten Modglin fan. However, this has been my least favorite of hers so far. I liked it, but didn’t love it.

It starts off strong as Bridget finds out her estranged Grandmother passed away and left her their large family home. Her Grandmother raised her after her parents were killed, but kicked her out when she turned 18.

Not only did she leave her the house, but it is to be shared between her and her childhood nemesis, Cole.

Vera Bitter, Bridget’s Grandmother, had some serious secrets. Letters begin to appear at the house with hints, leading Bridget and Cole to find out dark secrets about Vera.

Who was her Grandmother afterall? Why was she left the house, and why split it with Cole? What will these secrets reveal?

I enjoyed the mystery in the beginning, but then found the ending to drag on and become pretty predictable at the end. It was less “thriller” than her typical books- although finding the clues and what they led to, was pretty interesting!

I usually love everything this author writes. They are typically short, clever, twisty with 🤯🤯🤯 endings. I didn’t like this one very much. The only thing I did like was when we found out what that old lady really was doing. I’m all for that kind of behavior, but other than that I was just waiting for it to end. And being just under 6 hours for the audiobook. 🫠 I did like the narrators so if audiobook is an option I recommend that path.

I loved this audio! Is the my favorite by Modglin? Possibly! I loved the suspenseful take on the letters and the romance. Thank you for the chance to listen early.

Kiersten Modglin is an author that’s an instant read for me. I love her style of writing and her stories. Bitter House is one of her best.

When Vera Bitter passes away she leaves half of her estate to her granddaughter Bridgette and the other half to someone who is not related but grew up living in Bitter House, Cole. Bridgette and Cole did not get along when they were younger but as an adult, Cole has been nothing but nice to her. However, she still doesn't trust him.

Letters start to arrive at the house telling Bridgette her grandma was not a good person and not who she thinks she was. If the letters are to be believed there are secrets buried at the Bitter House that will change Bridgette's life.

I was immediately sucked into this one. I had to know who was leaving the letters and what all the secrets were. I can’t recommend this one enough.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced audio-copy of Bitter House, in exchange for an honest review.

Upon the passing of Vera Bitter, her granddaughter, Bridget, inherits Bitter House. However, she is not the only beneficiary—Cole, the son of Vera's loyal house manager, Edna, also receives a share. Despite their initial animosity, Bridget and Cole are drawn together by an anonymous letter that hints at their grandmother's hidden secrets.

Together, they go on a journey to uncover the truth, unraveling a series of shocking revelations that challenge their understanding of the past. Vera Bitter, once a respected figure, is revealed to have been a complex and manipulative woman with a dark history. Through a series of flashbacks, readers are privy to the events that shaped her life and the consequences that continue to haunt the present.

Modglin skillfully weaves together the perspectives of Bridget and Cole, providing a multifaceted exploration of their characters. Bridget, initially hesitant and unsure, gradually transforms into a determined and resilient woman. Cole, on the other hand, struggles with his own inner demons while navigating the complexities of his relationship with Bridget.

The Bitter House itself becomes a character in its own right, its oppressive atmosphere and hidden passages serving as a physical manifestation of the secrets buried within. The author's vivid descriptions evoke a sense of claustrophobia and foreboding, creating a haunting backdrop for the story.

'Bitter House' is a testament to Kiersten Modglin's storytelling prowess. It is a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, revealing layer upon layer of deception and betrayal. The characters are complex and relatable, and the plot is both intricate and satisfying. This is a must-read for fans of gothic thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good dose of suspense.

This was a 4.5 Stars read for me!

I am impressed that KM can successfully write so well in other genres. As with her last book, this one felt like a huge departure for her. It was too romance-y for me and too women’s fiction/sappy/fanciful for me as well but o can see how others who enjoy those types of books will love this and how carefully the story was woven together. I especially liked the varied timelines and use of a journal for reveals. I was also surprised by the MCs final decision but not surprised by the author of the notes.

This was better than I could have even expected. Bitter House is a psychological thriller/mystery that is jam packed with secrets. When I say it had me in a chokehold!! 😮‍💨😮‍💨 Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. The slow burn and banter between Cole and Bridget just added to the overall perfection that this book brings. The passing of her grandmother has Bridget returning to Bitter House years after her grandmother sent her away to learn she inherited the house 50/50 with Cole.Through letters that start to appear, the mystery of Bitter House and Vera Bitter start to unfold. There isn’t a moment you won’t be on the edge of your seat trying to predict what is coming next. 10/10 recommend!

🎧 I also had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook which I loved! The two narrators flow was amazing and helped bring the book to life. 🎧