I am so late to the party on this book. I saw this book as a read now on NetGalley and requested it without even knowing what it was about. I then let this sit for a while because like most Jodi Picoult books it intimidated me. I've never read one from her that I didn't like, but I also know they are heavy books. But this is about honey, and bees how heavy could it be?
Clearly I went in blind and was absolutely blown away. This book is not so much about bees and honey though that is intertwined. It's about all types of love and what lengths you will go to to keep the people you love safe. It reminded me a lot of Defending Jacob which I loved, and I also LOVED the references back to Nineteen Minutes which was my first Jodi Picoult book so long ago.

I'm going to leave my review vague because I can't give away more details without giving away a huge topic/spoiler.

Go in blind, and with an open mind and you won't be disasspointed.
Thank you netgalley and the author for a copy of this!

This was one of my favorite books of the past few years. I loved the combination of mystery and social commentary. The exploration of transness and what it means was well done and believable. Excellent story!

I really loved this book! It was thought provoking and kept me in the edge of my seat. It was a mystery to figure out who the perpetrator was, but it was also an important conversation about abuse and race. Half way through the book, I was shocked by the twist and the character development was top notch - as per usual with Jodi Picoult! Would absolutely recommend!

MAD HONEY
Jodi Picoult and
Jennifer Finney Boylan

The first time I picked up this title I DNF’d it. Not for forever just for the time. I received my copy early and given the topics contained within the text I wasn’t 100% comfortable with Jodi Picoult taking me deep into the water. I wanted to see feedback from trusted friends as to how the subject was handled.

There has since been an overwhelming number of friends who enjoyed the book, and I saw a few articles about the co-written nature of MAD HONEY. So, I decided it was finally time I revisit Olivia and her honeybees.

MAD HONEY is about Olivia and her son Asher and his relationship with his girlfriend, Lily. Lily is found dead one day and quickly Asher becomes the number one suspect. Olivia believes her son to be innocent and can’t fathom him being the reason Lily is dead.

We follow along as the case is investigated and through to trial. Until the ending, which was a big surprise. We explore Asher and Lily’s relationship and what led up to Lily’s untimely death.

One thing, possibly the biggest thing I like about Picoult’s writing is that she is solid in her standing. I have never read a book by Picoult where I was confused about my feelings. Even when I don’t necessarily agree with everything written, the topic is explored well enough that I am self-informed.

There are always great conversations and questioning sentiments and that was the case as well with MAD HONEY. The writing is fantastic, the characters are well-formed, and the subject is timely. I loved everything about it.

So thankful to Picoult and Boylan for taking the time to write this novel.

Also thankful to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for the advanced copy!

MAD HONEY…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mad Honey challenges readers with moral dilemmas, compelling them to confront difficult questions about justice, love, and the consequences of keeping secrets.

This was my first book by these authors. I really enjoyed this book! I definitely want to pick up more books from the author(s).

This was a great book although I found it to be sad. This book is about a young trans girl that is trying to find her way in high school and how to let her boyfriend know that she is trans. It is really good about clarifying the characters issues and has an index of definitions of terms for those not familiar with the terminology. It is such a good book but I used a box of Kleenex at the end. I did not like the ending but found that it was probably true for the time the book was written in due to the small mindedness of people. I recommend this book.

Mad Honey is an emotional and thought-provoking story that delves deep into themes of love, identity, and the complex bonds between mothers and their children. The novel follows Olivia, a beekeeper who has escaped an abusive marriage to start a new life with her son, Asher. But when Asher is accused of a shocking crime, Olivia is forced to confront painful secrets from her own past.

Jodi Picoult, co-writing with Jennifer Finney Boylan, masterfully intertwines themes of resilience and transformation, weaving in details about beekeeping as a metaphor for human connection and survival. The novel also brings an important and sensitive look at gender identity, handled with empathy and depth, through the story of Lily, who plays a significant role in Asher’s life.

Mad Honey is beautifully written and laced with unexpected twists that kept me gripped until the end. It’s a book that makes you think about the labels we place on ourselves and others—and the hidden truths beneath them. If you’re a fan of emotional, character-driven stories with powerful messages, Mad Honey will leave a lasting impression.

I don't know why I didn't get to this one sooner. I remember quite a few years ago when I was OBSESSED with Jodi Picoult novels and binged so many of them. However, I haven't reached for them in years since I discovered I'm more of a fantasy and romance reader. But this book? This just brought me back. this book goes into a lot of relevant, hard-hitting topics prominent today and is so well written and incredible. I think that maybe I need to get back into picking up her books because it seems like regardless of the type of reader I am, her stories always work for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Mad Honey" and all opinions expressed are my own. I listened to the audio book. I liked the setting of the book since I live in this area... Santa's Village, Six Gun City (which is closed down), Lancaster, etc. Not sure where the town is supposed to be in the book since it isn't a real town. They did mention Berlin (although pronounced wrong) so maybe there? This was a very long book, even listening to it. There were so many topics in this book that it really didn't help the story. I did finished it and only because I was listening while I did other stuff.

The collaborative team of Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is a match made in storytelling heaven!!

"Mad Honey" is simply a masterclass in all the ways that a novel should be! It is a seamlessly told story of very real issues and events that revolve around fully-developed characters that grab your heart early in the story and never let you go.

Life isn't perfect and neither are the families we meet in "Mad Honey." But perfect or not, both authors infuse these story people with such believability, heart, emotion, and love that you will feel compelled to stay with them. Even when your worst fears haunt the reading, you may find that you simply can not abandon them!

"Mad Honey" is a 2024 must-read!

Book Review: Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan – A Working Mom's Take

As a working mom, I often seek stories that blend emotional depth with engaging narratives, and Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan delivered just that. This compelling novel explores themes of identity, love, and the complexities of mother-son relationships through the intertwined stories of Olivia, a beekeeper, and her son, who becomes embroiled in a tragic incident at school.

The writing is beautifully layered, and the exploration of both LGBTQ+ issues. It’s a poignant reminder of the challenges we face in understanding ourselves and those we love.

Final Thoughts: Mad Honey is a thought-provoking read that balances heartfelt moments with gripping tension, making it perfect for moms looking for a story that resonates on multiple levels. It’s a captivating exploration of love and acceptance that will stay with you long after the last page!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this fascinating and complex novel. Jodi Picoult's Mad Honey is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that weaves together a poignant story of love, loss, and redemption. The narrative is enriched by Picoult’s meticulous research into the world of beekeeping, offering readers a fascinating glimpse into the life of bees and their vital role in our ecosystem. The characters are deeply nuanced, and their intertwined lives are portrayed with emotional depth and authenticity. As the plot unfolds, the novel skillfully addresses complex themes and moral dilemmas, leaving readers both moved and reflective. With its captivating blend of personal drama and educational insights, Mad Honey is a powerful and memorable read.

Ten out of Five stars!! I loved this collaboration between Picoult and Boylan. Don't miss the author's note at the end. I'd love to see more with these two working together!!

This is a hard book to review without giving away so much of the story. I wasn't a fan of all of the bee details as it seems that I've read so many books that include this. If you are a fan of bees and beekeeping you may enjoy it more than I did. I suggest that you go into the story blind and don't read the blurbs, if you can. It's controversial as Jodi Picoult is known to do in her novels and that's the beauty of her writing.

I received a copy of this book I couldn’t get into the book this went in my dnf pile. One of my favorite authors book started strong then got blah too much about bees.

Mad Honey by Jennifer Finney Boylan and Jodi Picoult is a gripping and emotional page-turner that will resonate deeply with readers who appreciate complex, enlightening stories about love, identity, and the resilience of the human spirit, particularly those who enjoy character-driven fiction that explores themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the power of love to overcome adversity.

The author started throwing in all sorts of current issues with sexual gender, etc…
Just not a book for me

What a story. These characters come to life right off the pages of this book, it’s so well written. Wasn’t so thrilled about the content of the story.

This is one of my favorite Jodi Picot books ever! So controversial, so much meat to this story, I loved every word and nuance.