This is certainly a well named book. There is much bittersweetness within its pages and very real depiction of life's sorrows, jolts and joys. Women made strong thereby get through with help from God, each other and therapy. Themes laced throughout touched on prejudice, forgiveness and reconcilation. There's cautionary input regarding the wiles and lure of some men but also of decent manhood.

I loved the two-pronged timelines of the main protagonists, two sisters who were the great-great granddaughters of Tabitha who struggled but overcame. The parallel-like lives of the two different generations is notable, endearing and helpful to the younger women. Despite the bitterness there were the lovely good, tender and sweet times which gave balance to the emotions as one read through the saga.

I also liked the down-home feel and the input about the Gullah people group, which lent further character to the book with its lingo, recipes and community way of life. I had never heard of the Gullah folks before so this was of interest to me.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and found it to be a good satisfying read.

A 5-Star rating from me.

~Eunice C. Reviewer/Blogger~

March 2024

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Net Galley and the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sister Conflict - Broken Marriage - Family Crisis Rhonda McKnight does an amazing job of untangling a world of hurt in her latest novel. Two sisters - Mariah and Sabrina - are as opposite as day and night. Through the years of misunderstandings and conflict, each sister has gone her own way. But suddenly they receive a text from Grandma requesting they show up at the family restaurant as soon as possible. "Come home" without much detail. So off they go and what a wild ride it is - work together to save the family restaurant. But can they stay in the same house long enough to work out the details? Ms McKnight works through pain and misunderstanding, broken dreams and heartache in a poignant manner and gives much food for thought. Grab this novel this spring and your heart will be renewed!

I did finish this book, largely due to several five-star reviews I read. I liked it well enough, but goodness, I know it’s an ARC, but the errors kind of drove me crazy. Leaving out articles (a, an, the) frequently was only one of them. One time I noticed a child’s age change from one page to the next.

I did enjoy the faith element in the story, as well as the redemption to be had by Mariah especially. Clean romances were a plus.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Three and a half stars.

Rhonda McKnight's latest novel is a true gem. From the very beginning, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. The characters were so well-developed that I felt like a part of their world, seeing bits of myself in each of them. McKnight's ability to evoke deep emotions in her readers is truly impressive, making this book a definite winner in my eyes. I found myself torn between wanting to know what happened next and not wanting the story to end (or at least follow Kenni into adulthood!). This book has earned a permanent spot on my list of favorites, and I can't wait to revisit it again in the future.

Thanks Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for providing the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

Bitter and Sweet by Rhonda McKnight is a great and thorough read. It is the story of Sabrina and Mariah, two sisters who are completely different, yet have deep and hidden similarities. Along with their story, the story of their descendant, Tabitha is also a story of love, regret and second chances. Her story blends with Sabrina and Mariah who find out about Tabitha thanks to her letters kept by their grandmother. I only say so much because I want the readers to indulge in this beautifully written and informative. You won't regret getting a copy when it is released in June.

I approached this book with high expectations—primarily because the book that I read by this author just prior to—The Thing About Home—was very good. So I was all ready to dive into this one.

That said, this book was just ok to me. The concept was one that I’d typically enjoy—family drama and growth with some spiritual nuggets sprinkled in. Something about it was missing the mark for me, though. Now I really enjoyed the parts of the story where we visited the past. Had it not been for those times in the story, I wouldn’t have enjoyed this book at all. I would’ve liked to see more of that and perhaps more time given to where the past meets the current. Would’ve made for a longer book but I definitely would’ve enjoyed it more. I will read more by this author—just with adjusted expectations.

New-to-me author Rhonda McKnight examines the benefits of taking our eyes off ourselves and placing them on others. It’s not an easy thing to do as these women discover!

Mariah Clark is struggling to find a reason to live after her ten-year marriage ends in divorce and her husband steals their business. She can’t see a way to trust again after being manipulated and blindsided. She doesn’t think she has anyone she can turn to for help.

Sabrina Holland is struggling, too. She’s hanging onto a dream, but doesn’t see any way to make it come true. She’s survived the death of a loved one and is now simply existing from day to day, living out of a van. She doesn’t know if she can get out of her rut.

When their grandma Gail calls and asks them to come home, they think it’s to provide care for their sick grandfather. They get a surprise - their grandmother needs them to help save their 86-year-old family-run business. After reading through their great-great-grandmother’s letters, the sisters learn about Tabitha Cooper’s own struggles and realize that if she could overcome with so much against her, there’s hope for them with each other for support and guidance.

Rhonda McKnight’s novel reminds us of a simple truth: family is the heart of everything.

What you’ll get:
✔️Dual timeline; contemporary and 1920s Charleston, South Carolina
✔️Women in crisis: Two estranged sisters and their great-great-grandmother
✔️Feature on role of women, people of colour, society’s divisions, cultural clashing, Jim Crow Laws
✔️Examination of facing the truth and accepting it prior to moving on with life
✔️multi-generational family saga
✔️A reminder about bridging the gap and the power of forgiveness
✔️An education about Gullah Geeche; the legacy, culture, food and how it brings people together
✔️inspirational story about preserving heritage and relying on Faith

I guarantee (1) that Great Great Grandma Tabitha “Bitta” Cooper will serve up a heartbreaking yet inspiring story full of Southern comfort soul food and (2) that you’ll realize we’re all struggling and moving on is easier with a support system. Some things are worth the effort involved.

I was gifted this copy by Thomas Nelson and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This is my first book from Rhonda McKnight and definitely won’t be my last.
She captivated me right from the first chapter. I had such a hard time putting it down.
It’s a powerful story of family and the trials and tribulations that families endure.
A heartfelt story of how sometimes you need to talk and seek out help to get over the past to help you through.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy for my honest opinion

Last year I read my first book by Rhonda McKnight - The Thing About Home. I really enjoyed it...and I loved this one even more! I was hooked by both timelines, past and present, and I especially loved watching the sisters in present day slowly grow closer and come to understand each other. You can pretty much taste the southern flavor and flair of this story (fitting, since it revolves around a restaurant!) and the writing is lovely. I'm excited for more from Rhonda McKnight!

This is a great story about two sisters going through major life changes. Mariah is getting divorced from the husband whose restaurant she helped to rebuild, only for him to take it from her.
Sabrina is homeless and going down hill further after the death of her boyfriend. Her daughter doesn't live with her due to her living conditiosns. She is surviving by baking, a skill that she learned from her mom.
When their garndfather falls ill, they are both summoned home by their grandmother, and sometimes home is all you need to make things right again. This is the first book that I have read by this author, but it won't be the last.

Thank you to #netgalley for this #arc

Bitter and Sweet by Rhonda McKnight was everything I hoped it would be and more. I read her novel, The Thing About Home, last year and loved it! Like, loved it, loved it. Though it seemed unfathomable to me when I picked up Bitter and Sweet that I could love it as much as The Thing About Home, I did!

Bitter and Sweet is a dual timeline novel with three narrators: sisters Mariah and Sabrina and their great-great grandmother, Tabitha. Have tissues with you when you read! It will break your heart, but it’ll make you cry tears of joy too. Mariah and Sabrina don’t have a good relationship, but when their grandmother texts them to come home, they do. They both assume that their grandfather, who had a stroke, was worse and that their grandma needed them. She does need them. She needs them to save the restaurant that’s been in their family for almost 100 years. This forces them to work together; at least that’s the plan. From there…well, you have to read it!

Rhonda McKnight has written a novel that’s so moving and convicting and just breathtakingly beautiful. It’s about forgiveness: forgiving others and forgiving yourself. You know the old saying about holding onto grudges hurts you more than it hurts the other person…truth! Bitter and Sweet shows that it’s okay to not be okay; and it’s important to get help when you’re not okay. There is so much depth in this novel, and I wish I had the words to tell you just how much it moved me. I highly recommend this exceptional novel!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Rhonda McKnight continues to prove why she should be on everyone’s “go to author” list. Butter and Sweet is such a great story about two sisters struggles with marriage, life, disappointments, grief/loss, self-discovery, forgiveness and healing. Mariah and Sabrina’s story was so well written. I truly recommend this for anyone who likes a story that will make you feel every emotion.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions expressed are all my own.

I really enjoyed this book and think that it was very well written. This is the first book by this author that I’ve read. The struggles of this family is very relatable for a lot of people.

Bitter and Sweet is a well written dual time line novel. The characters are well developed and the plot kept my interest. The two time periods were woven together perfectly. I recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. This is my unbiased review.

Bitter and Sweet by Rhonda McKnight is a well written novels that speaks a captivating tale of love, loss, and redemption. The authors ability to mesh family drama, healing, secrets and history left me emotionally satisfied. The character development is phenomenal and keeps you engaged from beginning to the end.

The power of forgiveness is a beautiful thing! I love how this books touches on lessons that touch on resilience and also knowing when to let go.

Rhonda McKnight left no crumbs, and as always has you satisfied yet wanting more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Three women, all stronger than they realize. Sabrina and Mariah, sisters who have been at odds for years are now thrown together to try and save their great grandmother’s legacy. A legacy that was founded by hard work and determination. Tabitha who was left with children and nothing much else except her love for cooking. Cooking her much loved Gullah Geeche soul food and wonderful sweets. Her granddaughters have that same passion, they just have to find it. After they discover that family is everything. Wonderful boo. Rhonda McKnight is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. After reading The Thing About Home I couldn’t wait to read this one. Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance. Five wonderful stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am familiar with this author and was excited to see that she had another book releasing soon. This book was definitely slower pace but i thoroughly enjoyed it and how the sisters found redemption in the end.

The author did an amazing job with writing this book. It was so intriguing how she brought two timelines together in one book. Two sisters who are dealing with their own issues are asked to come home to help preserve the family restaurant while their grandmother tends to their grandfather who had a stroke. The girls read letters from their great-great-grandmother and it showed the importance of how much the family restaurant meant to her and now they are faced with similar challenges.

The author has done an amazing job with the character development. You connect with them and you can feel what they are going through with their issues. This book will have you smiling and crying. I think it is also important to note that the author has brought out how it is okay to seek therapy when life gets too much to handle. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

I'd like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader's copy for my honest review. Bitter and Sweet is a multigenerational book that toggles between two estranged sisters, Sabrina and Mariah, and their great great (?) grandmother, Tabitha. Throughout the book you become privy to the causes of the rift between the sisters and also witness the transformation of their relationship as their characters develop. The sisters gain inspiration from letters written by Tabitha that explain her life as she has her children and becomes a restaurant owner. As the sisters work together to save Tabitha's restaurant, they deal with their personal issues (homelessness, divorce, grief, low self esteem, etc.) through counseling and the guidance of their grandmother, Gail. This book showcases the hardships that Tabitha endured in the 1930s as an African American woman with children and a business. The interwoven stories in this book showcase the importance of familial relationships, support, and trust. (Trigger warnings: colorism, homelessness, death of a family member, postpartum depression)

Rhonda McKnight has written an amazing dual timeline (which I loved) story of sorrow and joy, She masterfully weaves a tale between a great great Grandmother and her descendants Mariah and Sabrina. The result is a beautiful tapestry that shows us life is Bitter and Sweet. Mariah and Sabrina, sisters, learn through the trials and triumphs of their ancestor, that they have within themselves the strength to bring healing, restoration and victory. Fellow readers you will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to introduce my bookclubs to this great book, Bitter and Sweet.