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.