Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read Writer in Residence by Rhonda McKnight.

Ms. McKnight is one of m favorite writers. This may be her best. I loved the characters, loved the storyline, the setting and every word on every page.

Rhonda McKnight has found a way to captivate me again. This is a story about rediscovering your voice and healing from your past. I appreciate how she always gives homage to the Gullah Geehee culture. Alex always had a connection to the Lowcountry, but once she takes the position as the writer in residence, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and embracing her past. Her relationship with Ms. Kate helps her deal with many obstacles that were weighing her down. I also love how Gabe challenges and encourages her in subtle ways rather than be aggressive. Their romance developed organically and without judgement. This story is heartfelt and inspiring. It is a reminder that sometimes we must face our past in order to move forward.

A romance writer who is struggling with writer's block accepts as position as a writer in residence at a literacy program and encounters a potential love interest and a family secret. Though the plot was a little light, it was an enjoyable and inspiring story.

Writer in Residence was my first Rhonda McKnight novel, and it certainly will not be my last. This story captured my attention from the very first page. Alex, a writer battling writer’s block, finds herself uncovering long-buried family secrets that threaten to unravel important relationships in her life.
I especially enjoyed Gabe and Mrs. Kate, whose characters brought heart and richness to the story. At its core, this novel is a moving exploration of self-discovery, healing, and the courage it takes to face the truth. This was a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it.

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

Rhonda McKnight is an amazing author and storyteller. She is one of my favorite authors. I always get a good history lesson as well as good food and family. I recommend her to everyone!

A smart, intelligent and intuitive romance which only could have been written by a writer. McKnight's propensity to shine a lens on deft character detail is underscored here by her perfect snapshot of a truly writing life.


A joy to read.

I quite enjoyed this story. Alex's journey, her family history, the parts with the students, and the slow burn romance with Gabe. I've read every book this author has written about the lowcountry and while I've enjoyed all of them, the relationship with Alex and Miss Kate was my favorite. There were so many incredible lines including the ones about "noise" and "sweetgrass" and "trauma." There were so many. I just sank into the story and waited for those beautiful moments to arrive and touch my heart. I hate that it's over, but I look forward to the audiobook.

I hope she never stops giving us these stories. Easily 5 stars.

A little romance. A little family drama/ mystery. A little Gullah culture. This story was so good. I think it can be called a full circle story, everything comes together as it should even though Alex is emotional and annoying and fearful of the future and seeking the past. The characters are complex and flawed and that makes for a good story. If you enjoy a story sprinkled with romance, family drama, and culture then I recommend this book.

Soft, slow, and strangely comforting. A struggling writer, a quiet coastal setting, and a man who tells her to write what she actually feels instead of what the world expects. Low stakes, deep emotions, and the kind of story that reminds you it’s okay to take your time.

This was the book I didn’t even realize I needed until I was already in it. From the very beginning, I felt myself slipping into Alex’s world, and before I knew it, I was completely lost in the story in the best way. The writing was so beautiful and immersive that it honestly felt like I was right there in the South Carolina Lowcountry, surrounded by the atmosphere, the history, and the emotions that filled every page.

I connected deeply with Alex and found myself rooting for her in every possible way as she tried to find her voice again. Her journey felt real and relatable, especially that feeling of being stuck and unsure of what comes next. Ms. Kate completely stole my heart. There was something so grounding and powerful about her presence, and I was truly endeared to her wisdom and quiet strength. Even Beck, with her flaws, felt human and understandable, which made the story feel even more layered and honest.

This book took me on such an emotional ride. There were moments that felt tender, reflective, and even a little heavy, but it was all worth it. I tried to pace myself because I wasn’t ready for the story to end, but it was almost impossible not to devour the pages. Every chapter pulled me in deeper, and I just needed to know how it would all unfold.

What really stayed with me is the message at the heart of the story. Sometimes the story you’re meant to write isn’t just on the page, it’s your own future. That idea felt powerful and personal, and it made Alex’s journey even more meaningful. This was a beautiful story about love, identity, healing, and second chances, and it’s one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

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

A story wrapped in generational trauma, history and the power of forgiveness. I adored it! The writing was beautifully done without being overly descriptive. I felt like I was watching a movie.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rhonda McKnight is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
I love her stories and this one did not disappoint. Love loved this beautiful novel of 2nd chance romance between two wonderful characters that I enjoyed in getting to know.
I couldn't put this story down! I felt like I was in the book and didn't want to leave after thr story was over.
A great history lesson for historical lovers like me and awesome food to drool over. Yummy.
Family, friendship and relationships are thrown in along the way to keep you turning the pages long into the night.
I'm looking forward to her next novel. I'm telling y'all, you won't be able to put this book down trust me!
5 stars for a job well done! I highly recommend it
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

As a frequent reader of Rhonda McKnight’s novels I had high expectations for this book. The author has penned another winner.

Writer in Residence had all the elements of books I love. Romance, Suspense, and Inspiration. With all the uncertainties Alexandra was facing, she still found time to pour time into children that needed her.

As always there was a statement made that will stick with readers. “The same way we don’t get to inherit someone’s salvation, we also don’t get their hell.”

I highly recommend this novel. Thank you NetGalley, and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This books was so beautifully written. The way she describes the people, places and everything else is almost poetic. In this novel we get to watch a woman rediscover who she is while also finding love. She has to let go of who she feels she is supposed to be to find her new voice. She also is learning a lot about her past and family. The love she finds in this book was so well written I could feel their connection through the pages. Excellently done.

Warm, reflective, and emotionally rich, *Writer in Residence* explores love, creativity, and second chances in a heartfelt, character-driven contemporary story.

Home. Writer in Residence felt like home. It was a balm to my soul. I could smell the salt marsh from Edisto Island. I could visualize the kids playing in the unkempt yard envisioning a better life.

Alex is a romance author that has lost her passion, her muse to write. Her mother, Beck, encouraged (forced) Alex to attend a literary. event that led to a course of events that will change Alex forever.

Writer In Residence gives insight on the Gullah/Geechee culture. family secrets, cultural grief/betrayal, found family and renewal in self with romance sprinkled in beautifully.

This book is going into my top 10 of the year! A 5 star read!!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson publishing for the advanced read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the opportunity of an early review.
This book was full of mystery, full of emotions, and truly amazing.
I was entertained from the very beginning and couldn´t stop reading.

In the first place, the story was about a bestselling writer, Alex,l in a writing block that she wasn´t able to get off.
When a former library director and now published author, Gabe, asks her to be his substitute for the summer for classes in the Lowcountry Literacy Center and offers her free accommodation for the time being, she decides to grab the opportunity and possibly lose her writing block.

What she hadn´t counted on was to enjoy teaching like she had before she started her career as a full-time author and help students from low-income families.
Her journey brings her to discover a well-hidden history of her mother´s family, and her slow-growing attraction to Gabe reaches a new level.

The whole story is dedicated to self-healing, forgiveness, and the heritage of Gullah culture.

I immensely enjoyed the writing of this author. If you love clean romance and mystery, you need to pick this one.

I LOVED this book. It is beautifully written. I would love nothing more than to share a meal, sip some sweet tea, sit in the garden, and simply listen at the feet of Ms. Kate as she shares her history and wisdom. The descriptions are so vivid that I could easily imagine myself taking in the beauty and smelling the food.

Alex was really frustrating at the beginning with all the complaining and negativity; though I understood it. Alex needed those kids just as much as they needed Alex. I can’t imagine what it would be like to never get answers, only to be devastated by the truth once it’s known.

Gabe. “Now that’s a good man, Savannah.” I loved their banter and the way the relationship developed, especially how Gabe chose love.

I enjoy continuing to learn more about the history of the Gullah Geechee people, and Ms. McKnight’s books always make me want to visit the Lowcountry.

This is a story about forgiveness, healing, generational trauma, history, and choosing love. One of my favorite quotes from the book perfectly sums it up:

“Love heals wounds and trauma. Love opens the pathway for more love. Love will find forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation if we let it.”

I had already preordered the audiobook when I read description of the upcoming book, and I can’t wait to immerse myself in this book all over again when it’s released.

Writer in Residence was exactly what I needed.
​The Setting: Beautifully descriptive.
​The Journey: Emotional and relatable.
​The Writing: Smooth and engaging.
It’s soulful, it’s cozy, and the character growth is everything. If you love stories about finding your voice and second chances, add this to your TBR immediately. 💓💓

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy of this book!

Rhonda McKnight’s writing speaks to my soul. Her descriptions of the Gullah Geechie culture and people speak to my need for discovery and exploration of my people. My grandmother was from Manning so this book felt very familiar and comforting to me. The main character was frustrating at times because of her constant comparison of herself with everyone but her background made sense of it.

The complexity of the family secrets, and the budding relationship with her cousin brought such depth to this story. Ms. Kate was such a positive and spiritual presence in Alex’s life. I just LOVED HER! The romance had me kicking and giggling. The way Rhonda wrote such sexy and sensual moments without the explicit description made me so happy! It was a just a beautiful pure romance and in my eyes Gabe is an elite book boyfriend. 😍🥰 He always said the right things and his affirmations to Alex of who she is and what’s she’s capable of made me fall in love with him as well.

This book was not only entertaining but there were so many 💎 gems for life dropped within these pages. I highlighted so much. I cannot wait to get the physical book as a trophy. So many awesome life lessons that made me think. I loved this book and at this point I’ll ready anything Rhonda writes.

Writers in Residence by Rhonda McKnight is the kind of novel that insists you slow down and listen to your voice, your lineage, and the life waiting for you beyond fear. I couldn’t put this book down. Through Alex’s journey as a writer-in-residence, McKnight beautifully explores what it means to be creatively blocked and spiritually disconnected and how both can begin to open through community, culture, and care. As a therapist and school counselor, I was moved by the way Alex pours into young writers in the Gullah Geechee community, advocating for accessibility and making space for their stories to matter.

The romance between Alex and Gabe happens with a sweet steadiness. Gabe’s patience and clarity offer a grounding contrast to Alex’s uncertainty.

Alex’s reckoning with her family history and identity is the core strength of the story for me. As she uncovers the truth about her father, she begins to understand that her healing is not just personal and it’s ancestral. This novel is a reminder that sometimes writing our stories is how we rewrite what was never spoken, and in doing so, we create new possibilities for ourselves and those who come after us.

Whenever I see a book being described as a warm hug, I'll always think of Writer in Residence

This book was a warm hug. The writing, the storytelling, soothing even during the hard parts.

It was comfort for my soul

Its the kind of story that makes you smile, feel hopeful, cant wait to learn more about something new. The history, the life experiences of the characters, their communities and all they survived.

Its a book I wish I was reading while sipping some cool lemonade on a porch on a warm summer day surrounded by a garden..........Gabe, Alex, Ms. Kate, Regina and all the kids at the Lowcountry Literacy Center, we're perfect!

Writer in Residence by Rhonda McKnight was such a beautiful, heartfelt read. This book felt like a love letter to healing, heritage, second chances, and finding your voice again when life has made you feel like you lost it. Alexandra “Alex” Chambers is a writer who is struggling creatively and emotionally, and watching her step into the Lowcountry and slowly reconnect with herself, her purpose, her family history, and love was so moving.

Rhonda McKnight writes with so much warmth and intention. The setting felt alive, the Gullah Geechee culture was honored beautifully, and every layer of the story felt meaningful. I loved how this wasn’t just a romance, but a journey of identity, grief, courage, and self-discovery. Alex’s growth felt real, and her connection with Gabriel brought such softness and hope to the story.

This book reminded me that sometimes the thing we are running from is exactly what leads us back to ourselves. It was emotional, tender, inspiring, and full of heart. Rhonda McKnight has such a gift for writing stories that feel comforting while still making you reflect deeply. Writer in Residence is the kind of book that stays with you after the last page, and I absolutely loved it.

This book was one of my top reads of 2026. I loved it! The story, the storytelling, it was beautiful. I did not want to put this book down. McKInght captivates you with her storytelling as I rooted for Alex and Gabe to find themselves and to find each other. I can't even explain why this book touched me so deeply, but I was disappointed I couldn't start sending it to friends and family to read immediately. I am looking forward to when it comes out!

Writer in Residence was such a heartfelt and inspiring read for me. I really enjoyed Alex's journey of finding her voice again while navigating the pain of family secrets, betrayal, forgiveness, and unexpected love. I loved the Lowcountry setting and Gullah culture it added so much depth to the story. If you enjoy emotional, character-driven stories with a touch of romance, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to the author Rhonda McKnight and publisher Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC e-book in exchange for my honest review. 💛📚
This book is definitely one of my favorite reads of 2026!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I enjoyed this story very much. Alex was a published author of 29 books but found herself unable to write another one. It is a story of self discovery and the healing of the relationship between her and her mother. Her mother had lied to Alex about her father and as she worked to discover who he was, she learned more about herself in the process. Her boyfriend Gabe was wonderful and Ms Kate was a world of wisdom. Such a good book that was filled with nuggets of truth and wisdom!

Cover: Beautiful cover! Love the side profile view of a Black woman with big natural hair!

I walked into this story blind, and this is a new-to-me author. I thought it was going to be light. Nope, this is a Trojan horse book! Yes, it is a romance and so much more. It is a story of identity, mother-daughter relationship, family secrets, and a really sweet HEA.

The care and history that Rhonda McKnight wove into this story, with Gullah Geechee geography, dialect, and cuisine, are chef's kiss!

Characters: From the jump, Beck is interesting.
Leah seemed like a wild card, but looks can be deceiving. She tried to help to the best of her ability.
Ms. Kate is AMAZING! She nurtured the FMC with food, wisdom, prayer, and honesty. She had INSIGHT.
Gabe: MMC knows who he is and whom he wants. Full stop! "I remember memorable things."
Trish: quintessential BFF. She is honest with Alex, good, bad, and indifferent.
Joy: a newly found family member and the spark that helps to ignite the real story.

Writer in Residence is a healing story! The journey Alex (FMC) goes through stems from her career stalling and her personal life being at a standstill, too. Sometimes, when the parts of your life collide, there is no other choice but to confront the issues, even though it hurts. Healing is on the other side. I have already added this book to my Bibliotherapy list.

Oh my goodness, where do I even start with this book?! Five massive, glowing stars. From the very first page, I was completely swept away by the atmosphere, the depth of the characters, and Rhonda McKnight’s gorgeous writing.

The moment we follow our lead into the residence program, carrying all that creative burnout and emotional baggage, I knew I was in for a special ride. You can literally feel the weight on her shoulders as she tries to rediscover her spark and get those words onto the page. Watching her navigate the unfamiliar setting, the quiet expectations, and the lingering scars from her past felt so deeply human and relatable—I was nodding along and highlighting full passages right out of the gate.

And can we talk about the dynamic between the characters? The connection that brews here is the absolute sweet spot: tender, grounded, and full of that slow-burn tension where every shared look and late-night conversation feels like a mini-event. McKnight handles the emotional beats with so much grace. It’s not just romantic chemistry; it’s two people learning how to be vulnerable again, confronting old wounds, and figuring out what home actually looks like.

The secondary cast brings so much heart and warmth to the narrative, too—giving it that rich, cozy community feel where every side character feels like a real person with their own story to tell. By the time the mid-book twists hit and the emotional stakes ramped up, I couldn’t put my Kindle down if I tried. I was completely invested, cheering through the misunderstandings, holding my breath during the tough moments, and ugly-crying (in the best way possible!) by the climax.

If you love stories about second chances, finding your authentic voice, healing, and falling in love when you least expect it, *Writer in Residence* is an absolute must-read. It’s soulful, comforting, and deeply satisfying—the kind of book that stays with you long after you flip the final page. Rhonda McKnight knocked this one out of the park!

Alexandra Chambers is a writer who struggling with her current work in progress. When she wins a week at a writer’s retreat, where she is able to connect with people, culture and Gabe Scott, who is also a writer that is about to embark on a book tour. When the position of Writer in Residence is offered to her, Alex finds her purpose. Through the gift of writing, she mentors up and coming voices, which is a blessing to the community.

As Alex researches her book, secrets are revealed and threaten her blossoming relationship, as well as the ones she shares with family members.

This is @authorrhondamcknight’s best book to date. The food, the Geechee/Gullah culture, and the awakening allowed this story to flow with ease. The character development was strong and the plot twist…jaw dropping. I highly recommend this book, and will recommend it over and over again.

FINDING YOURSELF WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’VE LOST IS A TOUGH ONE TO FIGHT THROUGH. THIS WAS ONE BATTLE ALEX WAS FIGHTING FOR. AN UNEXPECTED TRIP BRINGS HER TO A PLACE THAT SHE’S BEEN LONGING FOR, BUT COULDN’T FIND. A PLACE WHERE SECRETS ARE REVEALED, LOVE IS FOUND, HEALING TAKES PLACE, AND FINDING HER INNER VOICE APPEARS. READING THIS BOOK WAS NOT JUST FOR FUN, BUT IT WAS ENCOURAGING AND A REMINDER TO KEEP GOING NO MATTER WHAT YOU FACE.

IT’S A TESTAMENT TO WRITERS THAT IT’S OK TO BE STUCK , BUT TO PERSEVERE DESPITE OF. A TESTAMENT TO OTHERS THAT LIFE MAY GIVE YOU LEMONS, BUT MAKE SURE TO MAKE SOME SWEET LEMON JUICE WITH IT. I FELT LIKE I WAS ON THE ISLAND WITH ALL OF THE CHARACTERS FROM THIS BOOK. MS.KATE WAS THE AUNTY THAT EVERYONE NEEDS BECAUSE OF HER WISDOM . HER INSIGHT WAS SO PERFECT FOR THIS DAY AND AGE, DESPITE HER BEING FICTIONAL. GABE WAS THE HEARTTHROB THAT WE NEEDED. RHONDA DEFINITELY HAS A WAY WITH WORDS THAT JUST FLOWS BEFORE YOU. LIKE I WAS WATCHING IT UNFOLD BEFORE MY EYES. NOT ONLY WOULD YOU GET A GREAT STORY, BUT YOU WILL GET LIFE LESSONS THAT WILL MAKE YOU SEE A DIFFERENT LIGHT .

I absolutely loved Writer in Residence by Rhonda McKnight. This story is so much more than a romance—it’s about healing, finding your voice, embracing your history, and discovering that the answers you’ve been searching for may be hidden in your past. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry, the story weaves together faith, family, Gullah culture, and self-discovery in a way that feels both heartfelt and authentic

"Sometimes the story you need to write is your own future..."

Just finished Writer In Residence and this was an wonderful introduction to Rhonda McKnight's work.

This book took me through all of the emotions while reading about Alexandra "Alex" Chambers journey to find herself, connect with the Geechee Gullah community, uncover family secrets & find love. Loved the pace of the book and I definitely highlighted a few excerpts that I connected with.

I'm so happy that I received an ARC from the BRBF Book Tour and I'm looking forward to reading her other titles.

This author is an auto read for me. I love a book about a woman finding herself. It is so inspiring in the world we live in now. The FMC in this book goes through a time in her life where she needs people. She needs to refocus herself. I love that she was able to get the ending that she deserved. I cried at times in this book because I see myself in the words.

Writer in Residence by Rhonda McKnight | A+
Alexandra Chambers is a writer who has run out of words. Struggling with a paralyzing case of writer's block and the very real pressure of securing her next book deal, she wins a week at a writer-friendly cabin through a drawing at a Lowcountry literacy center in South Carolina. She arrives expecting quiet and space to think. What she finds instead changes everything — a vibrant, soulful community steeped in history, a family secret she never saw coming, and Gabe Scott, a celebrated bestselling author and former writer-in-residence who is everything Alex fears she is not. Confident, acclaimed, and deeply committed to serving the Gullah community through literacy, Gabe stirs feelings she is absolutely not ready to deal with. Then a stunning discovery about her own family history reignites her muse — and with the gentle, unwavering wisdom of Ms. Kate, an elderly Gullah woman whose quiet presence carries tremendous power, Alex begins to find her way back to herself. Writer in Residence made me laugh, made me cry, and made me shout with joy. It is one of the best books I have read, and I mean that with my whole heart.
Alexandra is a beautifully rendered heroine. Her creative paralysis is not a plot device — it is a deeply human condition that Rhonda McKnight treats with tremendous authenticity and care. Watching Alex wrestle with self-doubt, comparison, and the fear that she simply does not measure up is both painfully relatable and deeply moving. She is fully, wonderfully real on every page.
Gabe is exactly the kind of hero this story needed — magnetic, purposeful, and genuinely good in a way that never feels manufactured. His dedication to the Gullah students at the literacy center gives him depth and dimension that goes well beyond his role as love interest, and the way he sees Alexandra — clearly, completely, and without the distortions of her own insecurities — is both romantic and quietly profound.
But the character who stopped me cold, again and again, is Ms. Kate. She is the soul of this novel. Her quiet wisdom, her rootedness in Gullah tradition, and her gentle ability to help Alex see what she cannot see herself elevate this book into something genuinely special. She is unforgettable.
What moved me beyond the romance and the beautifully drawn characters is how Rhonda McKnight weaves Gullah culture into the very fabric of this story. It is not backdrop — it is living, breathing, essential. The history, the language, the food, the community, the legacy — all of it is rendered with deep respect and specificity, and it opened a world for me that I did not want to leave. This is storytelling at its most generous and most purposeful.
Writer in Residence is a masterpiece. Run — do not walk — to get your copy. Rhonda McKnight has delivered something truly extraordinary. A resounding A+.

As the story warms up, emotions spill, secrets are uncovered with traumatic impact, romance captures hearts, even as Alexandra, the 'writer in residence,' discovers so many piercing facts of her life, all the while fighting writer's block.

The added multicultural interest elements of the Gullah Geechee people described within the pages, helped expand my limited knowledge of this lesser-known people group. In my opinion, it added extra flavorful seasoning to the story.

Issues such as helping to teach young and budding writers, touching on trauma, guilt and embarassment, dished out by ancestors' actions, forgiveness, and intermittent injections and references to faith and God were pluses for me. This book ends with intended discussion questions, which I feel will more than likely aid the rounding out of these issues for serious-minded, potential readers.

All in all, I give this book a 5 STAR rating.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

August 2026

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