Kirkus Reviews hailed the novel as "A timely debut that not only reminds readers of a shameful episode in American history, but cautions us to examine the present and take heed we don't repeat those injustices.""Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet", Kirkus Reviews, October 15, 2008, accessed July 11, 2011. Kevin Clouther of Booklist mentions that "Although Ford does not have anything especially novel to say about a familiar subject (the interplay between race and family), he writes earnestly and cares for his characters, who consistently defy stereotype.""Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet", Booklist, November 15, 2008, accessed July 11, 2011.
