Bitter is the heart tells the story of Tamar Glass who fled an abusive home life at just 18. Tamar lived a joyous life free of her mother Ruth, until one night she wakes to find Ruth standing at the foot of her bed. Ruth isn’t in her right mind; she’s confused she doesn’t know how she got to Tamar’s home. 

Shortly after that incident Tamar reluctantly lets her mother move in. The appearance of Ruth in the home brings along the appearance of strange events. The house is hot despite the thermostat being set at 62, lights flicker, cabinets are opening and closing by themselves. Tamar starts hearing whispers at night. It also brings back suppresses memories of childhood trauma for Tamar. 

I enjoyed this story, I never knew where it was going to go. I genuinely could not tell who was the victim while reading. That being said, I wish a lot of the religious horror backstory came earlier in the book because it seemed a bit longer than it needed to be. It is an interesting meditation on generational trauma. 

Thank you dreamscape media and netgalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.