Caffeinated Reviewer

Sophia Rose is here with another review. You’ll want to dive into The Bitter Truth by Shanora Williams. Come see what Sophia loved about this political charged and absorbing domestic thriller.

An upstanding political candidate. A determined stalker. A shattering lost weekend. Now, when his worst secret comes calling, how far will one man’s elegant, all-too-devoted wife go to uncover the truth . . . or bury it?

For Jolene “Jo” Baker, the least she can do for her adoring husband, Dominic, is give unwavering support for his North Carolina gubernatorial run. He is not only the love of her life, he's also helping her prove that she's far more than just a pampered trophy wife. With huge crowds showing up at Dominic’s speeches and the polls consistently in his favor, she's never been happier to stand proudly by his side . . .

Until she and Dominic start seeing the same, strangely ominous woman turning up all along the campaign trail. Until their tour starts becoming a nightmare of botched events, crucial missed information, and increasingly dangerous “accidents.” Suddenly Jo can't get any answers from Dominic—or understand why he is acting so paranoid and terrified . . .

What Jo can do is start digging into his past—one she's never really questioned beyond his perfect image and dazzling accomplishments. What results is an alarming series of events that leave her baffled: Good friends turn into enemies, truths are revealed to be lies, and all clues lead back to one secret, shattering weekend that changes Jo’s entire life. With her world splintering into pieces, can Jo risk trying to set things right? Or will hiding the bitter truth by any means necessary destroy her as well?

Sophia Rose’s Review

The Gubernatorial race of North Carolina is at stake and suddenly a mysterious woman is stalking her husband’s political rallies.  A dedicated wife gets concerned and all sorts of dark secrets come out.  Shanora Williams’ The Bitter Truth was my first experience with her writing and it’s been a bit since I read an absorbing, domestic thriller.  I was primed and ready and I was not disappointed.

Jo Baker is the perfect politician’s wife.  She’s personable, bright, a successful and strong woman of wealth and a successful business in her own right.  Her marriage has everyone sighing and backing her charming husband and their team for what they stand for and their engaging persona.  That’s the outside…and a lie.  She’s been talking to Dominic about a split for some time when he drifted away and prioritized everything else above their marriage.  Lately, she doesn’t suspect, but knows he’s keeping secrets and that was before the drama started with the mysterious woman.

As with most domestic thrillers, it isn’t long when readers get a heads up that all isn’t what it seems.  Of course that startling Prologue of a horrific experience in Dominic’s childhood setting the stage for what was to come and right on into the dark deeds of Dominic’s more recent past that he must keep covered up at all costs if he wants to win re-election.  Dominic is a narcissist, but he’s a charming one that has others convinced he cares about them and only lately has Jolene worked this out about him.

The Bitter Truth hooked me from the start and I was well into the book before I came up for air.  There are multiple point of views including Dominic and Jo, but also Brynn, the third main character who is telling an earlier timeline of events.  I liked getting to know them warts and worse- particularly when it comes to Dominic.  It’s not a matter of this is going to be bad, but to what depth.  This is a revenge plot and there is some serious drama and stunning twists in the end before all is said and done.

When it comes to domestic thrillers, I don’t tend to like the characters and have realized that one isn’t necessarily expect to.  It’s about reading a personal train wreck of lives and not being able to look away.  I usually don’t like books associated with politics, but I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy that element because it gave just the right amount of high stakes to all Dominic was trying to protect and achieve by his loathsome actions.  Jo and Brynn were both gals with a lot of fire and willing to see Dominic’s despicable actions and raise the stakes.  Jo impressed me and left me in awe at her chess-like moves against her husband.

All in all, this was one that took me on a dark journey of the soul and I liked how it re-emerged (eventually) into the sunshine.  Shanora Williams’ writing style was easy read for me and I look forward to more of her thrillers and would definitely try her romances.  Domestic Thriller fans are the target audience and I can definitely recommend this one.

Amazon | Audible

About Shanora Williams

Shanora Williams is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty romance and diverse suspense novels. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband and three boys and is a sister to eleven. When she isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her family, binge reading, or running marathons on TV streaming services.

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About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Twitter | Goodreads

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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