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.

I loved everything about this book - another Jodi Picoult success!! The writing, characters, and storyline were all well developed by Picoult and Boylan and their writing was absolute magic. I loved the ways that the ideas were presented and how the story unfolded, allowing the reader to fall in alongside the characters each step of the way.

3.5 stars!

This is my first Jodi Picoult book, and I feel sure it won't be my last. This book was very intriguing and I found myself invested in both the story and characters. I do think where it fell flat was with some of the social commentary as well as the book being so long that at times I did feel like I was slogging through it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’m a long time fan of Jodi Picoult and the deeply humane and contextualized she offers different points of view for complex ethical situations. Mad Honey is no different, although this one felt like there was more pointed in its agenda. I learned many things I didn’t know about the processes and issues involved with gender reassignment though; more complex than I’d realized. As always, I came away from this book feeling like I’d heard more sides and was better equipped for empathy.

The writing was amazing. I love this author and loved the layout of this story. I would recommend and shar worth friends. It offered a really important story from a heartfelt perspective

This was a roller coaster all the way ! The twist, the traveling turns and drama I’m all for it! Highly recommended!

Did not finish. Wasn’t aware of trans character. In my opinion, that should be listed and obvious in the summary of the book. I wasted so much time reading before I realized the agenda. 1/5 stars

All in all, this was a great story. Jodi Pucoult has such a way of writing about sensitive topics with such grace. However, I did feel that some of this book felt very textbook like.

Thank you so much for this ARC. Normally, I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult and have enjoyed her progression throughout the years.

This was a no for me. Was I shocked around the half way mark? Yes. Did I love the bee facts? Yes. Did I love every politically motivated subject in this? Not a chance. It was too much, too woke and just way too long.

Dnf at 54%
1 star…
Just not a book for me. To many things I can not get on board with,
The author started throwing in all sorts of current issues with sexual gender, etc…


Thank you to Netgalley.