Bitter and Sweet + Giveaway

Two sisters at a crossroad in life find the answers to their problems in the lessons from the past…

Mariah never pretended her marriage was perfect but that didn’t mean she ever suspected her husband of ten years would not only ask for a divorce but steal the business she built for them. Defeated and depressed, she’s not sure how to bounce back from the manipulative betrayal. Sabrina has been self-destructing for years, maybe since she was born, but certainly since the death of her long-time boyfriend. Barely scraping by and living in her van, she’s struggling to figure out what’s next for her, when all she’s ever wanted to do is bake cakes like her mother did.

When Mariah and Sabrina’s grandmother sends them a cryptic text message summoning them to Georgetown, South Carolina, both assume their ailing grandfather’s health has declined. Instead, the estranged sisters are faced with their grandmother’s undeniable request–save the family restaurant. Through letters written by their great-great-grandmother, Tabitha, Mariah and Sabrina learn a heartbreaking yet powerful story of struggle and survival. As the whole truth about Tabitha’s complicated past unfolds, the sisters are inspired by her ability to forge her own way in Charleston, a beautiful and prosperous city that was also rife with oppression under Jim Crow.

With the lessons in their family’s past guiding them, both sisters have a chance at a different life–if they can find a way to bridge the gap that tragedy and unhealed trauma forced between them. Told in a dual timeline that alternates between the 1920s and present-day Charleston, SC, Bitter and Sweet is an emotional story about love, one family’s perseverance, and the bonds of family and heritage.

My Review:

This is the kind of book you dread writing a review for because there is no possible way to convey the brilliance of the storytelling or the emotional impact it made. So excuse me if words fail.

First, I listened to the audio edition and was completely captivated by the trio of narrators. Janice Abbott-Pratt, Angel Pean and Lynette R. Freeman gave stunning performances, adding to the rich vibrancy of Rhonda McKnight’s words. The result — an exceptional listening experience. I savoured every second.

And, oh my, these sisters and their stories! Deep layers of personal and family drama culminating in divine healing. I was an emotional wreck by the end. (Gentle warning: don’t listen to or read this book in public, especially if you are an ugly crier like I am. Don’t ask me how I know 🙂 )

The author expertly weaves Mariah and Sabrina’s great-great-grandmother’s story into the mix, so – yay – dual timeline. ‘Bitter and Sweet’ honours the legacy of faith and family through generations. So much wisdom and insight! I’ve preordered a print copy because there are so many impactful quotes that I need to highlight and pour over again and again.

A stunning, emotionally-stirring, faith-filled read!

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this novel.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the Bitter and Sweet, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 15 2024.

29 thoughts on “Bitter and Sweet + Giveaway”

  1. Seems I’ve been waiting forever for this to release & the day has finally arrived! Happy release day, Rhonda McKnight! 🎉 Words certainly didn’t fail you (at least not for long), my friend. What a captivating, enticing review! This novel is set near my neck of the woods . . . Charleston is absolutely intriguing!

    dianalflowers at aol dot com

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      1. Top 10?!! EEP!! Cannot wait to read it!! Revisiting Charleston is definitely on my bucket list, but until post surgery nerves heal, I’ll have to visit vicariously thru wonderful Southern authors!!

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  2. Do so love dual timeline stories! Add that one of them is in the 20’s and I’m over the hill. BITTER AND SWEET description alone sounds amazing and then add your review and I immediately added it to my TBR list. Can’t wait for the opportunity to dive in reading it.

    Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of this book!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  3. Kav, your high words of praise for this one captured my attention. Enter me please! 🙂 Btw, I’ve never read a book by this author. Is this a debut or have I just missed hearing about her for some reason?

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. Entered! And you will love Rhonda McKnight’s stories. She has quite a few books out — I think all but two were indie published. I first ‘met’ her through the book ‘The Thing About Home’ which was published last year, also by Thomas Nelson. It sounds like most of her earlier books were contemporary romances where as these two TN read more like women’s fiction with romance but also multi-generational women, family history and legacy of faith. So amazing! Good luck, Cheryl!

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      1. Kav, thanks for filling me in. Pretty cool that an indie author got picked up by Thomas Nelson. Bet there’s a story there! 🙂

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  5. This one is already on my TBR list because it sounded interesting. Now I know I will for sure read it soon. Thanks! Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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  6. Another new author!!! This week is off to a great start. But oh those dual time stories. I’m still not sure how I feel about them. I’ll keep on trying. Maybe one day I’ll read one that will swing me over to there side.

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    1. This one would work for you, I think, Becky. It’s not as complicated as some dual timelines I’ve read and the inspirational parts are so amazing as is these strong women overcoming such odds. Stirred up all my emotions! Good luck!

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  8. My book club ladies and I adored this authors first book. I’m thrilled to see she has another novel out. Thanks for the review it sounds just as intriguing as her first novel. Thanks for all you do. Please put my name in for this one.

    Nora finding hope yahoo

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  9. Thanks for sharing this review Kav! I have had The Thing About Home on my Amazon wish list for quite a while now, and I am heading over to Amazon right now to order that one. I don’t think this is a series, but this was just the encouragement I needed to order that first Thomas Nelson release before reading this one.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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