Somehow I forgot how amazing Picoult books are. Yowza. I've had Long Black Veil by Boylan on my tbr for a while and I desperately need to move this up after reading MAD HONEY.

This is a story of the death of Lily and the questioning of her boyfriend, Asher in this courtroom drama that touches on acceptance, living your truth and family dynamics. I won't get into this too much but I do highly recommend this book. I insist on you reading the Author's Note at the end when you do get to this read (and you will, right?). The way this book came to fruition is a fantastic story in itself and I love that Picoult wanted to write a book on transgender rights but didn't want to take away from any transgender authors so this collaboration was a perfect blend.

Meeting Olivia, Asher's mom, Asher and Lily was eye opening. While I was kinda just ok with the very end of who did what to whom and why, I appreciated the real life scenario of it all. I also am glad that I'm fascinated by bees so all the information about it and how this title came about was truly fun to listen to. 🐝

I honestly don't understand people's issues with how someone else wants to live their life. As Picoult put it at the very end, "sometimes making a better world is creating a space for all who live in it". Respect your fellow humans and if you don't understand something, educate yourself.

Wow. Nineteen Minutes is one of my favorite books and I felt like Jodi Picoult’s more recent novels like “A Spark of Light” didn’t stay with me like her earlier books….then I read this one. It was a “laundry didn’t get done” and “dinner didn’t get cooked” kind of day because I simply had to find out what was going to happen. Your heart breaks for all the characters in this book about a precious high school girl who is found murdered in a small town. With twists you don’t see coming, you will be on the edge of your seat as you wait for the verdict. Thank you NetGalley. This one is fantastic.

Two topics i knew nothing about: bees and transgender. A single mother moves herself and son back to her hometown to take over the family's beekeeping business and to steer clear of an abusive ex-husband. Son falls for high school girl who ends up dead; now mom is fighting to clear son's name. Good one!

Pub date: 10/4/22
Genre: literary fiction
One sentence summary: Olivia lives in a sleepy New Hampshire town with her son Asher - but when Asher is accused of killing his girlfriend Lily, she'll start to wonder if her ex-husband's abusive tendencies have been inherited by her son.

Why did I sleep on this book?! I started listening to the audiobook while packing for a move, and it hooked me! I loved Olivia and Lily's perspectives - Olivia's unfolds going forward in time, while Lily's moves in reverse. Olivia's includes tons of details on beekeeping - who knew that beekeeping could be so interesting?! Her history with her ex and questioning about Asher was really intriguing and relatable - I admired her for her inner strength. Lily was so special - I related to her struggles to fit in and her feelings of first love with Asher. I cried when the truth of her death came to light. Both audiobook narrators (Carrie Coon for Olivia, Key Taw for Lily) did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life.

As with any Jodi Picoult novel, there's an unexpected twist (I won't spoil it) - but I thought it made for a wonderful narrative. 5 stars and this may be my fave Picoult read!

Thank you to Ballantine Books for my e-ARC and PRHAudio for my complimentary audiobook!

This was an absolutely amazing read! I loved the chapter set up: dual POV and dual timeline. Olivia is the mother of Asher who’s girlfriend, Lily, has just been found dead. During her chapters, Olivia has both flashbacks and present day portions, while Lily’s consist of her past. The way Olivia speaks about being a mom is so tender and genuine. These characters and their development are all amazing. Also amazing: the fun facts throughout the book. But the most amazing…. the insane curveball at 50%!! I can’t lie, I shed a tear (or a few) at the end. I will definitely be revisiting the recipes that are at the end of this one 🤤

Starting from the first page it was hard to stop reading the entire book. Characters came to life and brought you into the world of family beekeeping. The mystery and hidden details were spot on and kept you wondering til the end. Loved the book and recommend. Thank you for the book!!

Mad Honey written by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is a powerful suspense novel of the highest level. Two stories collide that will change lives, never to be the same again. Olivia and her son Ash move back to her childhood home in Adams, New Hampshire., after learning some very dark secrets about her husband who is a Cardio Surgeon. Enter into the story is Lily who also moves to Adams with her mother. The story really takes off when Ash and Lily meet. A phone call to Olivia sends her spiraling out of control. Her life, Ash’s life and Lily’s life take a dramatic turn you soon won’t forget. Secrets and life changing events makes this novel a rapid page turner. Grab a Bee’s Knees Cocktail, your favorite easy chair and enjoy! Thank You to NetGalley, the Authors Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan and Random House Publishing for allowing me to read this wonderful novel.

Wow. There isn't a lot I can say about this title without giving away the twist. It isn't not my normal kind of book, but I am SO glad I read it. It was informative and sensitive and one I think everyone should read.

Some books, I read and promptly forget. Mad Honey isn't one of those. Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan did a fantastic job bringing a first love to life, wading through the devastation of loss, and provoking thought about how to talk about sensitive issues. There's a huge twist in this book, and I don't want to give it away, but here's what I can tell you:

Olivia McAfee moves herself and her son, Asher, to her father's home after her surgeon husband shows her that his commitment to "do no harm" ends when he walks through the front door.

Lily Campanello and her mother move to Adams, New Hampshire, too, ready for a fresh start in a new place.

Lily and Asher meet at school and fall in love. And then, Lily is found dead.

Do dark streaks run in families? Or, as Olivia insists, is Asher innocent?

I still can't stop thinking about this novel— it's a must-read!

Thank you NetGalley! Enjoyed this one tremendously. A Murder mystery with not only a huge twist at the end but one in the middle. Loved the multiple POV. The tidbits I learned about the Bees were an added bonus. Highly recommend. 5 stars!

I loved the story line, characters, and the topic. I didn't realize the transgender component of the book before reading it. You could really feel the emotions of the characters and what they were going through and although the book was long, there were times I could not put it down. I was very touched by the story. I didn't much care for the bee facts and that aspect of the story. For me, it didn't really add anything to the story and those sections tended to drag a bit. For the most part I thought that the social issues were handled incredibly well and felt "in character," but there were a couple of passages that came off as a bit preachy and could have used some more editing to flow better within the character's own voice. Didn't love everything about the ending, I'll leave spoilers out of it. It would have been a 5 star for me were in not for the dragging on of the bee component, the slight preachy tone in a couple of areas, and how part of the ending twist was handled.

This book is astounding, and I mean that in the best way possible. I learned so much, all while being so involved in the story that I didn't want to put the book down. This book is both beautiful and heartbreaking, and I recommend it highly.

Jodi Picoult is an author that I will always read - always pick up her newest titles. Her writing is contemporary and well researched. I love the title Mad Honey and the information on bees, bee keeping, and honey. The character development, as always, is impeccable. You can feel the emotions of the characters. It is written in dual timelines and I was intrigued in the delivery of the backstories. The novel is thought-provoking, and intensely emotional. It delves into abuse, emotional and physical, keeping secrets, starting over, loving oneself and being oneself. It is heartbreaking and sad. There is a big twist that you can start to get the feel of toward the end of the novel. There is mystery and courtroom drama. There are social issues that are presented well with insights into the different perceptions and sides of the issues. One of my take-aways from this novel is to always be kind to one another - you never know what someone is dealing with or going through.

What a fantastic book. I was hooked from the first page. The characters were wonderful, and the plot twists and turns were brilliant. This novel will lead you in unexpected ways.
The descriptions of characters, emotions, and surroundings all entice you and make you feel like you're a part of the tale.

I loved the book Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult! This is the story of Olivia, who has moved to New Hampshire with her son Asher to take up her father's beekeeping business. This is also the story of Lily, who relocates to New Hampshire for her senior year of high school. Asher and Lily will start dating and Lily will turn up dead and Asher will be questioned. There are several plot twists and turns that kept me reading! I learned so much about beekeeping. I really enjoyed this book and gave a it 4 solid stars! Would recommend to my book club. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

*Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, NetGalley, and authors Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*


This is such an important book for our times, but more importantly it is a learning process for those who don't know a lot about transgender and transitions from male to female. It is also a story about two fierce mothers who will do anything to protect their children. What I love about Jodi Picoult is that we are always learning something, in this case about transgenderism but also, bees. I never knew so much about bees. In this novel, Olivia McAfee's son Asher is on trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Lilly, who has recently moved to town. But there is always a twist. And this one is a big one. Told from the dual points of view of Lilly and Olivia, we are taken through the relationship of Asher and Lily, and what happens when she reveals a huge secret.

I loved this book as I loved "Wish You Were Here". Jodi Picoult has a gift for revealing the thoughts of her characters and breaking them wide open, and I learned so much. One of my very few five star books this year!

loved it! major defending jacobs vibes. loved that honey stuff didn’t get too deep and “sciency” and didn’t take away from the book. overall very unique highly recommending

Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finley Boylan delivered a thought-provoking and gripping novel in Mad Honey. I am a big fan of Picoult's books, and was excited at the chance to read her latest work that included co-author Boylan.

Lily Campanello and Asher McAfee are high school sweethearts - yet they are keeping secrets from one another. This betrayal comes to a head in December, and the pair stops speaking to one another. Wanting to mend the relationship, Asher goes to see Lily one day when she stays home from school. Upon entering the house, he finds her unconscious and she later is pronounced dead. Grieving from the loss, Asher finds himself entangled in a legal case where he is suspected of her murder.

This book had a lot of thrilling moments and the twists and the beginning and end definitely took me by surprise. The novel kept me invested, as I was desperate to know what happened to Lily and how things between her and Asher became so tense. However, the book felt a bit too long and it was tough to connect with many of the characters, with the exception of Lily. Much of the book was eye-opening and caused me to challenge my assumptions, which I always look for in a Jodi Picoult book. This is another can't-miss book by Jodi Picoult!

As always, Jodi Picoult does not disappoint. I found this book to be an interesting read on so many levels. The storyline was well written with great character development and enough suspense to keep it moving till the very end. What I didn't realize I was going to get from this book - and what made it all the better for me - was all the historical information about beekeeping and all the little bits lore and information thrown in. I've already suggested this book to numerous people who keep bees as I found it to be fascinating.

I really enjoyed this one. I think the writing was so fluid and was very invested in the story. I think it’s best to go into this one without knowing too much