This book was a very interesting read. I would have liked it to have a little more plot twist. It was the first time I have read anything from this author. I would read her next book.

This was a good book about three girls life. This does have some hard topics but it all in all a good story with some mystery wrapped inside.

This isn’t a thriller so much as it’s trauma dumping with active abuse happening. There’s a small mystery for a portion of it but once that’s solved, there’s nothing left but misery.

It’s horribly realistic and unrealistic at the same time. It’s not poorly written but there isn’t substance here aside from the terrible abuse the Byrd family encounters & enacts. 2.5/3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy of this audio. I found the storyline on this to be a little bit slow. I liked providences character, but I just didn't understand why she didnt tell her siblings upfront that she was trying to kill their dad and not their mom I feel like that wasnt revealed until the end and i didn't really understand why. I feel like if i read this instead of listening on audio I may have enjoyed it more.

Dark, twisty thriller with a lot of trauma, but also a lot of recovery. I really enjoyed watching, not just the main character, but also many of the side characters grow and changed throughout the story. This is one where you have to be highly careful with the trigger warnings, there is a lot of child abuse in it.

I hadn’t heard of this one until it was an option for Book of the Month, so I snagged it! Then of course, grabbed the audio from Dreamscape Media as well. I really didn’t have many expectations for this one and hadn’t seen many reviews, but I was blown away by it. I loved the heart in it as well as the mystery! They said perfect for fans of Tiffany McDaniel, and that’s all I needed to hear! It is high praise for a book, but it lived up to it! I honestly can’t believe there isn’t more hype surrounding this one! A story of abuse, neglect, hope, survival and found family. It is full of hope and love! The audio was so good, highly recommend this is any format!

A great debut book for the author! This was a heavy thriller but overall a decent read. Thanks for the opportunity to listen.

4.5 stars (rounded up) - Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ALC of ‘Every Sweet Thing is Bitter’ by Samantha Crewson.

Wow, wow, wow — what an incredibly written novel, and a debut at that! The prose is stunning, emotional, and deeply affecting. I never would’ve guessed this was a first-time author based on the quality of the writing.

This story is raw and heartbreaking in all the right ways. The description captures it perfectly: “Sharp and poignant, ‘Every Sweet Thing Is Bitter’ is a stunning novel that eschews picture-perfect endings and dares to tell a story about a resilient queer woman and her relentless determination to persevere.”

While it’s not quite a thriller and doesn’t lean heavily into suspense, it gripped me emotionally and left me feeling reflective and oddly at peace.

It’s a beautifully crafted book — just be sure to check the trigger warnings. It covers intense themes like addiction, mental health struggles, and domestic violence.

A powerful, unforgettable read. 💔📚

Dark and gritty, this was a good debut!

Providence returns to her small town home after her mother (whom she nearly killed 13 year earlier) disappears. She's certain that her abusive father is guilty of whatever has happened to her mother. Estranged from her 2 sisters, Providence is hoping to reconnect to them as well as protect them. She has to decide whether she wants revenge or to end the cycle of violence and abuse.

Providence is as flawed and morally grey as a main character can be but you can't help but root for her. While there is the mystery of their mother's disappearance, this is a character-driven story surrounding an extremely dysfunctional family. When the big reveal regarding her mother comes, it's very abrupt and quickly glossed over. The ending is a stretch but if you like a good revenge arc, you'll be satisfied by it.

There are very heavy themes of addiction, abuse, self-harm and more so be prepared.

I've been sitting with my thoughts for a few hours now and I still don't know what to say. I bought this from BOTM but I also received a free ARC of the audiobook, which made this much less of a chore. I'd recommend the audiobook over the regular book. Also, I found the ending to be supremely unfair and I hated it. Good writing though.

I enjoyed this one, but it felt like it was missing something to make it really good! While I enjoyed it in the moment I also think I’m going to forget a lot of what happened very quickly.

The narrator and audio production was really good!

One of the best thrillers I’ve read this year! It incorporates the thriller twists with a complicated family dynamic and history. Trigger warning for domestic violence and self harm.

Received audiobook from NetGalley.

I really liked this debut!!!!

Providence has spent time in prison for attempting to kill her mother. She is finally out and getting back on her feet when her mother goes missing. She goes back to her hometown to join the search for her mom. Did her mom run off or did something more sinister happen?

I really enjoyed this book. Providence and her sisters are interesting people with a complicated bond. They were raised by addicts and haven’t nurtured an adult relationship. I thought the author did a great job of conveying complicated family dynamics. The book is fast paced and intriguing. I can’t wait to see what her next book is about!


Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book.

Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. The premise was promising with poor execution. Every single character lacked any trace of common sense. So much of the plot was far fetched. YEARS of domestic assault 911 calls, with no results? Not one single person realizing that her mother was run over by accident and then sending a 17 year old abuse victim to prison? Come on.

A woman returns home to confront the trauma she left behind and solve a family mystery - but honestly, I found myself not really caring who did what because I didn’t connect with any of the characters. The mystery felt kinda boring, the constant mentions of her beauty procedures were weirdly repetitive, and I just never got pulled in. I listened to the audiobook and had it on 2x the whole time... and still wished it went faster.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC 😮‍💨

I felt this one in my soul!

Providence Byrd has returned home to help find her missing mother. She has been estranged from her parents and two younger sisters for years after spending time in prison for running over her mom with a car. Her sisters are both troubled and reluctant to be reunified with her. Her father is the same abusive man he always was. As Providence tries to solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance she wrestles with her abusive past and her need for revenge. Or will she walk away and try to start over?

This story is so raw and dark and gritty. But it is also filled with warmth and truth and redemption. There are humorous moments among the carnage even. This was so well written and intricately plotted. Providence, as a character, is riddled with dings and dents but I rooted for her from the first page. Don’t miss this one, it’s heavy but it’s an important and worthwhile read.

The audio narration was exceptional performed by Lindsey Dorkus

Thank you Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and the author for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

What a crazy mystery and family thriller! Set in rural Nebraska, Providence Bird returns home to join the search for her missing mother, a woman that she spent years of her life in prison for running over with a car. However, in coming home Providence must face her past, her community, her sisters, and her father who is the furthest thing from winning any sort of father of the year, or even day, prize. This story is dark and painful to see a dysfunctional family such as the Birds, and makes me so thankful to have had a good, solid upbringing.

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This story was intriguing. I loved the trauma and backstory of the main character. I also always love a whodunnit story. Her dad was vile, and there were plenty of twists along the way.

Initially I was a bit skeptical of this story, as it was unclear where the storyline was headed from the beginning. As I listened on, I really became engrossed in the storyline and invested in the characters. Those that criticized the authors voice missed the mark, in my opinion. I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to others without hesitation!

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Every Sweet Thing is Bitter - Samantha Crewson

Every Sweet Thing Is Bitter is one hell of a debut that doesn’t flinch when it comes to violence, trauma, and the complicated mess of family loyalty. The writing is raw and visceral in a way that feels earned, never gratuitous. Providence is a fierce, deeply flawed narrator, and watching her wrestle with vengeance and redemption had me fully locked in.

The plot follows Providence, who returns to her hometown after her estranged mother disappears under suspicious circumstances. Years ago, Providence made headlines for running over her mother in a moment of teenage desperation—and the scars from that day never fully healed. Now, with her abusive father still looming and her sisters divided on how to move forward, she’s forced to confront the darkness of her past while unraveling the mystery of what really happened to her mother.

This story has layers—abuse, estrangement, sisterhood, queerness, rage—and Crewson threads them together with brutal honesty and emotional weight. It’s not an easy read, but it’s an unforgettable one.

The audiobook quality was outstanding and the performer was top notch!