It has been a long time since I've read a book that spooked me so I was excited to get stuck into Bitter is the Heart. I read my ebook as I listened to the audio and wow, what an experience it was. The audiobook is so well done, I literally got goosebumps in certain parts. I am not going to give too much of the plot away because this one is best going into blind if you can. It was cleverly written and had the best ending!

This book is terrific and impossible to put down. Tamar had a horrible childhood in a haunted house and with a psycho mother. She left it all behind and now has a good job, her own house and has moved on, if not forgotten. But now her mother is back in her life. She’s old, frail and may be showing signs of dementia. Or maybe she’s just trying to manipulate her? There were so many things that I enjoyed about this read. Firstly, the writing is impeccable, the story excellently plotted and Tamar is a relatable character, despite her hangups. It was also an original take on an old story, since Tamar is Jewish. It was fascinating to learn many aspects of their religion and traditions, as well as the differences and similarities between them and the more widely known Catholic viewpoint. Hallie Bee Bard really breathes life into Tamar with her excellent performance. She gets all the voices just right and I was very impressed at how much she changes her take on the same character under different circumstances. But I think that my favorite thing about this novel is how it never went where I was expecting it to. The author really managed to surprise me over and over. Five stars!
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Dreamscape Media.

I don’t know what’s creepier in books—kids or old people! While this isn’t your average horror novel, the situation is absolutely horrifying. Being stuck with a parent you don’t get along with? That’s my worst nightmare. The narrator did a phenomenal job, making me feel anxious and angry right alongside the main character. Loved it!

I loved this book; it resonated with me on so many levels. It delves into generational trauma, complex PTSD, addiction, mother-daughter relationships, narcissism, and the struggles of not being the golden child, all through the lens of possible paranormal activity.

The story has a bunch of symbolism and messaging that I enjoyed analyzing. Like how the horror elements were almost understated, emphasizing how people, especially children, adapt to horrific experiences. And exploring whether it's places or people themselves that can be haunted. The Jewish faith thread made for an interesting twist on this kind of book and led to one of my favorite scenes.

I'm not familiar with the narrator, but she did a great job setting the tone for the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

4.5/5 Childhood trauma + paranormal? Count me in. It was extremely stressful and written very descriptively. Extremely fast paced. Narrator was great.