Bitter and Sweet - by Rhonda McKnight (Paperback)

About the Book

From the beloved author of The Thing About Home comes a dual timeline tale of family, grief, secrets, and the sweet redemption that lies within the bonds of sisterhood.

Book Synopsis

". . . a poignant story of sisterhood, motherhood, and new love found in old places. McKnight's writing is as delectable as the Gullah cuisine at the heart of the novel." --Denny S. Bryce, bestselling author of The Other Princess and Wild Women and the Blues

From the beloved author of The Thing About Home comes a dual timeline tale of Lowcountry flavor, family, grief, secrets, and the sweet redemption that lies within the bonds of sisterhood.

-The Present-

When summoned to Georgetown, South Carolina, sisters Mariah Clark and Sabrina Holland both assume their ailing grandfather's health has gotten worse. Neither expects their grandmother's undeniable request--save the family restaurant.

Mariah is at a crossroad in her life. After being dumped by her husband and forced to walk away from their diner that she helped rescue from bankruptcy, bitter feelings consume her. Even though the restaurant has been in the family for eighty-six years, giving her all to another struggling business isn't something she wants to do.

Living out of her van and striving for a fresh start, Sabrina yearns for stability for herself and her daughter and a chance to turn her baking hustle into a bona-fide business. The family restaurant may be just the blessing she needs--but as old tensions and angry disagreements resurface, Sabrina wonders if her sister will let her have a say.

-The Past-

After falling victim to a love she thought would last a lifetime, Tabitha Cooper finds herself away from home and struggling to survive in Charleston in the early twentieth century. She is determined to turn corn into cornbread and to take care of her children the best way she knows how--by serving food that's good for the soul--and along the way forges a path that leaves a legacy of success for generations to come.

Through letters that reveal Tabitha's complicated past, the sisters discover truths that just might be the right recipe to mend their hearts--if they can find a way to savor the blessing of today and leave the bitter aftertaste of old memories behind them.

Review Quotes

'A complex but joyful tale of family, food, love, and restaurants, BITTER AND SWEET by Rhonda McKnight tells a poignant story of sisterhood, motherhood, and new love found in old places. McKnight's writing is as delectable as the Gullah cuisine at the heart of the novel, but the beautifully written characters, prose, and dialogue make this story memorable . . . women's fiction at its best and a must-read journey you won't forget.'--Denny S. Bryce, Bestselling author of THE OTHER PRINCESS and WILD WOMEN AND THE BLUES

'Set in the atmospheric lowcountry, rich with Gullah culture comes a tale that spans two generations, exploring the bonds of family tragedy, redemption, and two estranged sisters at a crossroad looking to find the answers in lessons from the past. Memorable and unputdownable, you'll gobble up BITTER AND SWEET.'--Kim Michele Richardson, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek Series

'An unputdownable dual timeline story spanning generations, infused with Gullah culture, rich with themes of resilience and redemption, reconnecting family, leaving you with renewed hope. Masterful storytelling at its best!'--Michelle Lindo-Rice, bestselling author of THE BOOKSHOP SISTERHOOD

'BITTER AND SWEET was intensely raw in so many scenes that my emotions were all over the place. McKnight deftly wove the dual time between the past and present of three generations of women. I was immersed in the history and the food, and impatient as I waited for the secrets to be revealed. The characters wouldn't let me go until I finished the last page and even then I felt compelled to pray for people needing healing from trauma. The moments of celebration were a reason to praise God.'--Vanessa Miller, bestselling author of THE AMERICAN QUEEN

'Rhonda McKnight's BITTER AND SWEET is a meditation on what it means to be family. To love beyond dislike. To mend seemingly broken bridges and forge a bond beyond blood. In her deft hands, Rhonda's characters navigate broken hearts and betrayals, the delicacy of depression and find grace for grief to push them into purpose. The woven stories of Tabitha, Sabrina, and Mariah are reflections of the past in the present and how by sheer determination they can propel themselves into a life they love that satisfies the soul and entices the sweet tooth.'--Nikesha Elise Williams, two-time Emmy award winning producer and author of BEYOND BOURBON STREET

'BITTER AND SWEET is a delicious layered cake of a story that's compulsively readable. The history woven through the story enhanced the flavors of the low country cooking sprinkled through the pages, and I could smell the she-crab soup and taste the desserts. McKnight is a master storyteller, and I can't get enough of her books! Don't miss this one!'--Colleen Coble, USA Today bestselling author