Thank you Dreamscape audio & netgalley for an ARC of Bitter House in exchange for an honest review.

While I am a huge Kmod fan, I don’t love her thriller romance genre she’s been writing lately like her other new release Hemlock. I feel like when she adds in a focus on their relationship it doesn’t hit as much for the stories whole plot.

Bitter House audio was great, her pitch & tone was wonderful to listen to. But the storyline & plot fell short for me.

I loved the Family Secret by her & this felt like a knock off version of that book. The arrangement will always be my favorite Kmod & it’s done perfectly.

All in all, had a good time listening but the story didn’t blow me away.

Bitter House by Kiersten Modglin and narrated by Lauren Ezzo & Melanie Carey is a perfectly titled novel, with an immense twist.

Bridget lost her parents in a tragic car accident at a young age. The only family she had left were her grandmother Vera (the matriarch of Bitter House) and a distant relationship with her two aunts. Vera lost her beloved husband, and a later marriage was quickly annulled. Vera was absolutely her namesake, Bitter, cold, distant. But why?

Edna is the house manager, Cole her son and they both also live in the huge mansion. Edna is like a mother to Bridget, filling the hole that Vera will not even begin to try to ease

Bridget cannot abide her grandmother, a cruel, distant woman who sent her away with no explanation, ripping her away from everything she had become to know, uprooting her again. However, when her grandmother passes, there is a cruel twist in her legacy, when she leaves Bitter house to Bridget... and Cole. Cole was the older boy, distant, who teased Bridget for her being a spoilt rich kid while his whole life was constrained to one room in the house. (This relationship dynamic is brilliantly done, an enemies to friends to lovers)

However, while we all create perceptions from lived experience, we only see the surface. When the first of 6 mysterious letters are delivered to the house anonymously, everything Bridget knows is put into question, her world torn asunder. Was her grandmother really who she thought she was? What dark secrets does Bitter House hold? Why are bridgets aunts so keen to get a hold of the house and who are these very enthusiastic, neighbourly neighbours?

This audiobook is absolutely outstanding. A triumph for both the author and the narrators. Absolutely brilliant!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, the author Kiersten Modglin and narrators for this stupendously compelling ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Maybe not one of my more classic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, Bitter House was a quick audiobook by Kiersten Modglin. This story follows Bridget, who inherits her grandmothers estate after her death. Having been dropped off at Vera Bitter’s house following the death of her own parents. Once old enough to move out, Bridget had no further contact with her grandmother and always felt misguided and unloved.

There’s a twist though, the estate was left to her AND Cole, a man whose mom cleaned the estate as a live in worker back when he was a child. While everyone wants a piece of this expensive property, Bridget and Cole must work together to uncover the dark secrets left behind.

In true Kiersten fashion, this book was a quick and to the point without messy details. The history of the estate, Bridget, Cole, and Vera unravel as you go, versus having a lengthy character build up before you get to the juicy parts. The story held great suspense and the ending was not predictable. I flew this in on sitting. It was a great storyline/concept that was expertly executed!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC!

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥: 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀

ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 𝐟𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧’𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬! 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝑩𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐫. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 (𝐨𝐫, 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐝𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝), 𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝑩𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐲/𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭-𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫; 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐦, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞.

𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐛 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫) 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫—𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐧 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲). 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨-𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬.

𝐻𝓊𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝒦𝒾𝑒𝓇𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓃 𝑀𝑜𝒹𝑔𝓁𝒾𝓃, 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓅𝑒 𝑀𝑒𝒹𝒾𝒶, & 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.

I loved this dual timeline so much. The blend of longing and hope between the past and present was beautifully executed. The mix of thriller and romance added layers of suspense and mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish.

The way the story seamlessly intertwined two different eras made for a captivating read. I found myself deeply invested in both timelines, eagerly anticipating how they would connect. The romantic elements were heartfelt, and the thrilling moments kept my adrenaline pumping.

This book struck the perfect balance between emotional depth and gripping suspense. The intricate plot, combined with well-developed characters, made it a truly unforgettable read. Simply perfection.

Vigilante justice and fierce female characters make this a compelling story. You would do just about anything to protect the people you love right? Well, Vera Bitter is not who everyone thought she was. Bridget will learn her grandmother's secrets through a series of letters left for her. Then she will have to decide if she is going to stay in the house and keep the secrets or call the police and report a crime.

I loved the narrator and how the story kept building. This was a quick, fun, thriller with some romance tossed in at the end.

5 ⭐ 1 🌶 5 🎧

This is one of my favorite KMod books yet. While it's not you're stereotypical KMod twisty mystery, it is a suspense with a little romance and a whole lot of feelings. It's so hard to say what I want to without ruining what surprises are in store for you... But this book features strong af women and made me tear up a little at the way they chose to live their lives.

I love my suspense with a little romance and this did not disappoint. I was rooting so hard for Bridget and Cole and I was so dang happy when they finally figured their s out. We get a smidge spicy here and my romantic heart was leaping for joy.

The audio was fantastic. We get Lauren Ezzo and Melanie Carey playing Bridget and Vera and they did such fabulous jobs. I absolutely loved listening to this audiobook.

I would die for this author and probably the narrator too. This is a short listen with an impact. I was not expecting the twists! I love the setting!

Another amazing read by this author!!!!! I could not put this book down! I felt paranoid af all through reading it. This was such a quick read too. I sat down and finished it in one night!!!

3⭐
Genre ~ domestic fiction
Setting ~ Tennessee
Publication date ~ July 9, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 200 (obituary+ 31 chapters)
Audio length ~ 5 hours 51 minutes
Narrators ~ Lauren Ezzo & Melanie Carey
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ 3 parts, slow burn, buried secrets, minimal steamage

Bridget has inherited her grandmother, Vera's, house after she passed. They were estranged for a while, so it was a shock to learn this news. What was more of a shock was that Vera also left it to Cole. She and Cole lived in the house together for a time when they were kids and didn't get along at all, so she's right livid about sharing the house with him.

I liked the thought of a build up of the suspense with the letters trickling in, and while some things they learn are shocking, it was still a bit of a slow burn to get to the big hurrah. I must say I did like what the hurrah turned out to be, though.

Overall, a quick read that is more domestic fiction with a little mystery and romance. I was hoping for more of a domestic thriller, which is the genre I prefer from this author it seems. I love the cover that gives off a good vibe for the story, but in turn it makes it seems like it should be more suspenseful and thrilling, so do I feel duped? Maybe.

Narration notes:
Bridget's narrator spoke with an attitude, which seemed perfect for the role since she wasn't feeling Cole in the beginning. Vera's narrator was perfect all around.

Bitter House is another winning read for Kiersten Modglin.

This one had a slow build that was fueled my mysterious letters following an inheritance from her estranged Grandmother, Vera Bitter. The circumstances surrounding their estrangement remains a mystery to Vera’s “fav” granddaughter Bridget.

The thing is Vera seemed to cherish Bridget until one day she didn’t…but why? Why did she grow to hate her granddaughter and even more curious…why one earth would she leave Bridget the Bitter House?

If you’re looking for another solid KMod read with even pacing and relatable characters that you’ll love…then look no further.

I really loved this! Like all of Kiersten Modglin’s books, Bitter House is extremely fast paced and addictive. I finished this book in two sittings because I couldn’t put it down.

Bridget inherits Bitter House after her grandmother dies. Growing up they had a strained relationship, so she doesn’t quite understand why Vera would leave the house to her. After returning to Bitter House to get everything in order, Bridget finds out that half the house actually belongs to Cole - a man she’s hated since she was a kid. Tensions are already high when a mysterious letter arrives promising to reveal her grandmother’s long hidden secrets.

I loved seeing the strained relationship between Bridget and Cole explored showing that even though two people can live through the same things, they will experience it differently. I also really loved the mysterious letters and waiting for the next secret to be revealed had me on the edge of my seat. Same with the slow burn romance. The tension between Bridget and Cole was SO high! Also, this book made me surprisingly emotional, and I absolutely loved the ending. Definitely a new favorite from Kiersten Modglin!

Book Title: Bitter House
Author: Kiersten Modglin
Format: 🎧
Narrators: Lauren Ezzo and Melanie Carey
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Domestic-Psychological Thriller
Audiobook Pub Date July 9, 2024
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pages: 200

Story is story from the POV of Bridget and Vera via her Journal.
When Bridget Lancaster was ten years old her parents died she and she was taken in by her grandmother Vera Bitter.
Her grandmother raised her but Bridget never felt wanted. She did have a good relationship with Edna, the House manager who treated her like her daughter. Edna has a son who was two years older than Bridget but wasn’t nice to her actually was jealous of Bridget.
When Bridget graduated from high school, her grandmother wanted her gone. Which shatters Bridget’s already broken heart.
Bridget has not heard from her grandmother for twelve years until now when she learns she has inherited the Bitter House manor,
As Bridget reflects on being the owner of the place she was forced to leave twelve years ago, she decided she does not want to live there however since it is full of memorabilia she starts to clear out unwanted items and hopes for items that were her mother’s.
As she is sifting and searches someone walks into the house. It is Cole Warner who announces he co-inherited the house. Bridget is shocked and immediately calls Edna who is executor of the will and she confirms that yes Cole is co-owner. She knew how Bridget would reach so was waiting for the right time to tell her.
When Bridget starts getting message about Vera’s past secrets, she and Cole are suspicious.
Why is Vera’s daughter Jen as well as her son trying to get Bridget and Cole out of the house? They had inherited millions from Vera but seem to want the manor.
Or is it because someone wants to keeps the secrets of Bitter House a secret?

Story had me curious. In fact, I could not put it down. It was a fast read that I enjoyed very much!!


This is my Thirty-sixth Kiersten Modglin thriller.
Yes! I am a fan.
She always keeps me wanted to read more!

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 9, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and Kiersten Modglin for the chance to listen to this ARC!

After losing her estranged Grandma, Bridget inherits her grandma's house. When she gets to the house to try and sort everything out, Bridget gets another surprise, her grandma, Vera, also left the house to Cole, a blast from her past, who she didn't get along with. While trying to figure out what to do with the house and going through all Vera's belongings, they also unravel secrets of the house and Vera. Who was her grandma really?

Bitter House was my first book by Kiersten Modglin but it won't be my last. Bitter House grabbed me from the very beginning and kept pulling me in further as every secret, twist and turn was revealed. I listened to Bitter House in one sitting because I just had to know what happened next!

Bitter House by Kiersten Modglin narrated by Lauren Iezo and Melanie Carey it’s about Bridget who was sent to live with her grandmother when her parents died. Living with Vera bitter left Bridget feeling unloved and having Cole as her childhood rival didn’t help but then at 18 she was turned out without ceremony and left to make it in the world on her own. So when she gets a letter saying not only is her grandmother dead but that she is to inherit bitter house Bridget is astounded and without words. When she arrives and finds out Cole owns half the estate she doesn’t know what kind of game her grandma thought she was playing but when the letters start arriving she soon sees it isn’t her grandmother playing games, but someone else. Every letter leads to another clue as to who Vera bitter really was and every secret uncovered causes Bridget to look back differently at her childhood with grandma. Not to mention the second look she is taking at her rival Cole. I usually either really love the books written by Kiersten Modglin or really dislike them I think this is one of a few books I came out in the middle there was a lot I liked about it including Bridget I found her to be likable and pretty smart or other things I didn’t really understand about the book like how can someone misconstrue their whole childhood so much. I liked what the book ultimately had to say on why her grandmother was like that but I find it hard to believe everything grandma did was for her secret ends. So to not give anything away I will end my review here but as for whether I recommend it or not I do it says a Lotta good things about a bad subject the narration was pretty good and it’s a quick read. #DreamscapeMedia, #NetGalley, #KirstenModglin, #LornaIezo,#Michelle Carrie, #bitter house,

3.5/5
I was a bit underwhelmed compared to other books I’ve read by this author. It was an interesting generational story.

Can murder be sexy?

Premise - When Bridget is orphaned following her parents’ death, she moves in with her wealthy, cold grandmother, Vera Bitter. She grows up there alongside Cole, the bad boy son of Vera’s maid-with-benefits.

Bridget’s childhood is far from idyllic, with a noted lack of affection, but she never wants for anything. But when Vera kicks her out upon her high school graduation, the little love they had seems lost entirely. Bridget doesn’t hear from Vera until her lawyer reached out after Vera’s death, informing her she inherited the Bitter house.

When Bridget arrives at the house she’s dismayed to find a grown up, frustratingly attractive Cole there. It turns out they inherited the house together! Neither one is willing to sell, so they move in together (as one does???) and soon after weird things start happening…

I enjoyed the romance to start, but as things heated up the style veered a bit too far into genre romance for me (think: strong stud muffin “claims” swooning damsel’s lips with a kiss) and I sped up the read to get back to the thrilling stuff. I have nothing against genre fiction (clearly, as I’m obsessed with thrillers), I just prefer villainy to bodice ripping. That said, fans of second chance romance will eat this up!

The twists in the letters were great and all of the characters made sense. The narration of the audiobook was also really solid and the narrator did a good job of matching genre expectations even when this book flipped between its two genres.

I enjoyed this and recommend it to thriller fans, romance fans, and *especially* to romantic suspense fans!

Thanks, NetGalley and Dreamscape, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.