4.5 STARS!
This is the second book from this author that I have read. I must say I like this book even more than the first, and the first was very good also. I can tell the author took time to conduct research, which added to the richness of this story. This is a beautiful chronicle of family history, complex generational relationships, sisterhood, and second chances.
The book covers two timelines, one in the present, and one in the early 1900s. There are also 3 POVs among the two timelines. Both timelines are well-written and integrated successfully without confusion.
Mariah and Sabrina are two sisters who don't have the best relationship, and the two are brought together when their grandmother summons them both back to Georgetown South Carolina. Each sister has their own issues and problems, but soon they will have to work together for the good of the family. The second timeline from the 1900s, is the POV of Tabitha, the great-great-grandmother of the sisters. Tabitha has her own struggles, as a single mother, trying to make a living during segregation.
I am a fan of historical fiction, so I looked forward to each time the story turned to Tabitha. I could have read a full book of Tabitha's story!
The present storyline, covers some complex, timely themes, including therapy. I love the themes covered in this novel.
This is a great read!
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson - Fiction for this read. This was well done. The book was written smooth. Not one chapter was too long. The book was just a great love story that passed through generations. A story of resilience. Well done.

Title: Bitter and Sweet
Author: Rhonda McKnight
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Bitter and Sweet" by Rhonda McKnight

My Perception:

'Bitter and Sweet' was an interesting, powerful story about grief. The main characters gave the reader much to think about long after reading. We are given a story of 'several generations of a family that had their secrets, struggles with marriage, life, disappoints, self-discovery, forgiveness and healing, grief, sorrow, redemption, and struggles.' The story was about how this grandmother tried to restore peace and love in this family. Will it happen? I enjoyed reading about Mariah, Sabrina, and Tabitha's stories. These Gullah people were very interested in reading about their recipes and community way of life in the trials and tribulations that families endure. I loved how the power of forgiveness turned out to be such a wonderful thing for this family.

You must pick up this good read to learn why these two sisters came home in the first place.

Thank you, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley, for allowing me to read this book.

I didn’t expect t to be so emotional with this book.
I loved the backstory we were given about Tabitha. I never thought I’d gravitate towards historical fiction, but I have recently and I love it! This book had everything from family history to family resolution.
Mariah and Joseph were my least favorite characters throughout my reading. I just didn’t think they could get any worse, but they did. Their issues added to the overall plot of the book and definitely made some sense by the end but some things just weren’t necessary.

The way Sabrina was able to make something out her time of darkness and less than, phenomenal woman!

This book was everything I didn't know I needed. One of the many things I love about Ms. McKnight books is her ability to capture the essence of family - the good, the bad, and everything in between. This was historical fiction at its best!

Sabrina and Mariah are sisters, but you wouldn't know it. Both are dealing with heartbreak and childhood trauma. Their grandparents call them to their hometown to help revitalize their restaurant. Mariah and Sabrina are like oil & water...they just don't mix!

There is a dual storyline about their great grandmother Tabitha. It details her teen years, to her family life, all the way to opening her restaurant. Along the way, we read about the hurt, betrayal, and losses that she faced.

This book was amazing. I honestly can't say which storyline I liked better. They were both engaging and pulled me all the way in. I felt a range of emotions while reading: sad, hurt, angry, happy and I even swooned a few times lol.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for my ARC.

This was indeed a bitter and sweet story. I loved how the author blended both the historic and contemporary aspect of the story together and how it flowed perfectly.

I loved the characters and how amazing they were. Mariah got on my nerves a couple of times but I did understand why she was the way she was and empathised with her. I'm glad she worked on herself to get better.

Tabitha, Sabrina and Mariah's trails and tribulations were gut wrenching to read about but it was what made their victories and joy so heartwarming

overall, I did enjoy the story, I just wished we had more of the Mariah and Dante romance.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC!

A great read for the black community with so many generational issues addressed in impactful ways. The characters throughout this story are in many situations and experience many hardships that could make them victims, but they never succumb to that mentality. Resilience and strength abound in this feel good love story throughout the generations.

*I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review*
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First off, I want to thank Rhonda McKnight, Thomas Nelson Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this upcoming novel!! I am so appreciative.
Back in February, I read The Thing About Home and became absolutely enthralled with McKnight’s storytelling, so when I heard about the release of Bitter and Sweet, I knew I had to read it. This novel hit so close to home for me. One of the reasons I so love reading is relating to the stories being told, and feeling the comfort and support of not being alone In those experiences. At the same time, I love stepping outside of my own experiences and into someone else’s. This story gave me both of those things. It’s about the human existence, familial relationships, connection, and overwhelming faith. I felt so much for these women and their complex struggles. I loved watching them come out on the other side and learning that its okay to not do things alone. To not live in the shame of past mistakes. Their strength to move forward was truly inspiring and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
McKnight does dual storylines so well. I felt the emotion in her words.
There was just a bit more I would’ve liked from the story for it to be 5 stars, mostly just personal preferences of getting more background on Mariah and Sabrina’s relationship and more about Tabitha’s journey, but overall, this book was a beautiful journey!

I love me good storyline that offer visions of family gatherings and history...Bitter and Sweet by Author Rhonda McKnight offers how the past and present collide!

As you turn each page, you'll be swept away by the beauty of tradition and the resilience of the human spirit. "Bitter and Sweet" is a testament to the enduring legacy of family where the echoes of the past resonate deeply in the present.

I invite you to add this one to your reading list and you can thank me later.

This was good -- I enjoyed the past and present juxtaposition and the family descriptions. Plus there was a little bit of food and restaurant descriptions, which I love. There is sadness in this book but I will say it left me feeling joyful. Give it a try!

Bitter and Sweet comes out next week on June 11, 2024 and you can purchase HERE.

Hospitals had a way of making everyone seem more mortal by the hour.

“We have to take the good and bad and the bitter and sweet”

Rhonda McKnight does it again with this exploration of sisterhood and motherhood. “Bitter and Sweet” takes us into the lives of two sisters at odds, Mariah and Sabrina, as they must work through their own problems while rehabbing their family’s restaurant. Throughout the book, we get glimpses of how their great-great grandmother Tabby overcame many obstacles to become a Black woman with her own restaurant!

McKnight's writing style is so comforting, in part because it feels so Southern, which is very familiar. I enjoyed the dual timeline because it offered insight into the ever-present struggles of being a Black woman trying to survive and sustain. McKnight does an excellent job of peeling back the layers of the characters, showcasing their vulnerabilities, while also demonstrating their growth.

This is my second McKnight read and I cannot wait to read more! I was also fortunate enough to do an author interview with Ms. McKnight that you can find on Instagram - @kandacewithakreads.

Estranged sisters Mariah and Sabrina are summoned home to save their family’s historic restaurant. Arriving while dealing with difficult challenges in their lives, the Holland sisters must learn from the past, face some hard truths, and settle their differences to keep the restaurant going.

Bitter and Sweet is such a wonderful, multigenerational story! This emotional read told through an alternating timelines explores the bonds of sisterhood, the lingering effects of grief, and the impact of living with regrets.

I truly enjoyed getting to know exacting Mariah and free spirit Sabrina. My heart ached for these women when the root of their estrangement was revealed. Because of all the bitterness these two have experienced, I was thrilled to see them grow and be able to rekindle their sisterly bond so they could enjoy the sweetness that had been missing from their lives for so long.

The story of Mariah and Sabrina’s great-great grandmother Tabitha is simply inspiring. It is through Tabitha’s letters that the sister gain perspective on dealing with life’s struggles and see her resilience in action. These two couldn’t have a better role model.

I highly recommend this moving family saga focused on resiliency and forgiveness.

It has been about 24 hours since I finished the book, and I'm still having a hard time putting into words how much I devoured this book. I could not put it down.   This author is truly one of the GOATS when it comes to emotionally charged, heartwrenchong stories that will keep you captivated from beginning to end.  I wish I could read it again for the first time.  This is how you craft a story.  And these characters will live in my mind for a while.  I hope to see this as a movie one day.

This new release from Rhonda McKnight is full of forgiveness and food. How did I not know about jar cakes? Have I had my head in the sand? They look just delightful. In truth, the cooking and baking in this book made my mouth water. And the stories of sisterhood and motherhood were heartwarming.

Two sisters -- Mariah and Sabrina -- are called to the low country in South Carolina to help save the family restaurant: Tabby's Meats and Sweets. These two women have been estranged and each has their own current crises to deal with. Past hurts have kept them apart. If they can share each other's burdens, there is hope for the family.

The Tabby in the restaurant name is their great grandmother. Her story is a third perspective and takes us back to the 1920's and 30's. I really enjoyed her perspective and her grit. She may have made some mistakes, but she really had the deck stacked against her.

If you enjoy Southern fiction filled with grace and good eating, give this one a try. I struggled a bit with the gullah speakers (that's a me problem). I'm guessing if I were native to this part of the country it might not feel so foreign.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The path to redemption is not as narrow as we think, Miss Cooper.”

Bitter And Sweet by Rhonda McKnight 💗💗

This was a joy to read ! This dual timeline story follows the lives of a multi generational family of strong women in Georgetown, South Carolina, the choices that shaped their lives. I was so wrapped up in this story, falling in love with the characters, seeing myself in them, as well as being comforted by the wisdom of Grandma Gail. A must read!! An unforgettable experience. So grateful to Netgalley for allowing me to hear the voices of struggle, pain, and life experiences that mold this family matriarchal lineage.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Set primarily in the low country of Georgetown, South Carolina, BITTER AND SWEET is the story of two sisters who are divided, yet underneath that division is a love waiting to be unearthed.

Mariah was on the cusp of television success with a cooking show, when her husband sweeps the rug from beneath her. Sabrina has lost her husband to a tragic accident and is sent spiraling. Their grandmother summons them home to Georgetown under the guise of their grandfather’s illness, only to have ulterior motives. Will these two sisters bury the hatchet and find love for each other?

Rhona McKnight weaves a beautiful dual timeline story of the importance of family history, overcoming challenges, and the importance of forgiveness. It’s also a story of how secrets can shatter relationships. During their time in Georgetown, their grandmother gives them journals kept by their great-grandmother, Tabitha. It is through Tabitha’s story that we’re shown how to persevere through life altering experiences.

This story is beautifully written especially the importance of faith and trust in God. I’m pretty sure anyone reading this will relate to one of the characters. For me, it was Mariah and in fact, I might implement some of her therapy homework in my own life.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the advanced readers copy.

This story is a masterpiece that I enjoyed reading from beginning to end. From following Tabitha on her journey to watching Mariah and Sabrina heal and become the sisters that they weren’t able to be due to their childhood experiences.

***below review posted on StoryGraph***



This is my first book by this author. I’m not a fan of overly descriptive books and I couldn’t relate to any of the characters. Some of the characters were hard to root for. I felt that Tabitha’s story had the most but I got bored at the 1/2 way point. Overall the story was ok. I would give this author another chance.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I liked that this was a dual time line story. I was invested in both storylines, honestly It was a captivating read. I really enjoyed learning about the history of Tabitha’s cooking and eventually owning the restaurant, it was inspiring to witness her resilience. I also enjoyed that the sisters Mariah and Sabrina are able to work on both their individual issues and mend their relationship along the way. Overall, this story was very entertaining and ultimately a tale of faith, family, and forgiveness.

The way I’m loving this book. I really need to hear the audio version so that the characters can come to life. The emotion that is being evoked from me already by just starting the book is definitely a winner for me. I just know this story is a good one. Love her writing.