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.

As Jodi Picoult's books are known to do, this one will stick with you. Picoult really goes back to her roots with this novel, centering it around a court case--and you'll also learn a lot about bees, which I found fascinating! While the book starts out seeming like one thing, a huge twist in the middle brings out a completely different side to the story. One of the beautiful things about reading is that can help to create empathy for those who live different experiences than you do. This is one of those books that I think more people should read for this reason. I also love that Picoult co-wrote this book so that the topic that was addressed was written by someone who has personal experience.

So why is it 4 stars instead of 5? I'm a thriller/mystery girl at heart, and I hated the whodunnit reveal. But this is most definitely a book that is worth reading if you're not just in it for the mystery!

Absolutely an amazing book. Jodi Picoult does it again. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of her work.

Single mom Olivia gets probably the second worse news for a parent, second only to the news Lily's mom received. Lily is dead, and Olivia's son, Asher is being questioned.

Mad Honey is exactly the sort of riveting, makes you think type plots one can expect from Jodi Picoult. And I loved it, especially the little tidbits about bees, beekeeping and honey. Lily and Asher are interesting and complex, really drawing you into their story. Lily's death is tragic, and at first you don't want to believe Asher could be guilty, but as more is revealed, you start to believe he might be. However, the final reveal of what exactly happened to Lily and why fell a bit flat for me, hence the 4-star rating. Still, I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend.

Thanks to Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan, Ballentine Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest (and very overdue) review

Jodi Picoult churns out books faster than I can read them but I was super excited to secure this early copy.

I read alongside a few friends which is definitely the way to do it. Lots of strongly developed characters and hot topics to discuss, perfect book for book club.

I didn’t see the twist coming but it felt like it took a really long time to get there and the ending was abrupt. Solid read but didn’t dethrone my favorite Jodi book.

This was not a favorite. It felt very heavy-handed and more preachy than a story. It didn’t flow or reel me in like her other books have in the past.

It's been awhile since ive read this book but I know I really enjoyed it and gave it 5 stars on goodreads. I hope to be better about reviewing books on netgalley as I read them in the future. I read this one as a book club book for we book and we brunch also known as book brunch repeat.

Jodi Picoult has done it again, this time in partnership with Jennifer Finney Boylan. The pair have written an amazing, thought-provoking and captivating novel that is sure to keep you turning pages.

Jodi never disappoints. Her and Jennifer Finney Boylan absolutely knocked this one out of the park. I never saw the twist coming. 5/5

As with previous Jodi Picoult books, there is a lot in Mad Honey to consider and learn from. I finished the novel quite some time ago and there are still elements I reflect upon. There were two surprise twists and I would have liked a little more to the ending. However, I appreciate that the easy way out wasn't given to resolve the death in the novel. Mad Honey tackled some pretty big topics, providing plenty of material for book club discussions and introspection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for an advanced copy of Mad Honey in exchange for an honest review.

Jodi Picoult is an auto read for me. She could write a phone book and I would read it. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it highly. Well written and educational. A couple of twists are to be expected. as you well know if you’re a Jodi P fan. .very well written!

I really wanted to love this book, but instead I only liked it. I know I am in the minority, and maybe my feelings are tainted a little by my reading of This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel, a book that I absolutely LOVED. I felt like this book was too similar to that one, but throwing in a "murder mystery" and long trial into this one. I also felt like this book tried too hard to cover ALL the bases of social topics-- Domestic violence, transgendered people, throwing in a girl with two moms, etc. There were so many, it was like it was trying to relate to everyone, which is impossible to do. I felt like the characters, with the exception of Lily, were not likable and I really had trouble relating to them. Asher seemed like a jerk, his mother, Olivia, was blind to his flaws, and Maya was so obviously in love with Asher that the "twist" at the end fell flat for me, as I saw it coming in the first quarter of the book. Maybe if I had read Mad Honey before This is How It Always Is, I may have loved it more-- as it is, I was happy to get through it and on to another book!

Thank you to the Authors, publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are my own.

Jodi Picoult is an excellent writer. She dominates your mind with her books. That being said, I was really entertained by this novel until the big reveal. Then, it became a preachy spot for white liberal women to speak on all the things “wrong” with the world. I finished the book bc I was interested in the trial and what happened with Asher, but much of it became boring to me after and the ending was meh.

This book was absolutely incredible storytelling at its best. The novel is densely packed with dynamic characters and intricate plot lines, but the themes portrayed are so well written. Almost palpable. Which is an incredible testament to the novel because it was co-written by two authors, yet still fluid & cohesive.

I used to love Picoult's books, but then I started feeling like they were getting a little repeptitive, new illness, new story, so I stopped reading her for a while. This one, however, I truly enjoyed and learned a lot along the way. It had an engaging story with a bit of mystery while also dealing with current topics. Highly recommend.

Welcome to the world of teenagers and unspoken issues. The main characters Lilly and Olivia are well developed and bring us into their lives with the words they speak. I was not sure what to expect with before starting this book, but I was hooked from the beginning. The authors do an incredible job of voicing each character and their thoughts. Asher who revolves around both Lilly and Olivia is seen by two different perspectives, which makes the reader think about the character in different ways. It is a book of love, longing, and loss. Recommended to all who enjoy reading.

Setting aside the death of poor Lily, this book was a great take on inclusion of trans humans in literature. I’ve read few books about trans people that are not non-fiction. Olivia’s experience with her son and Lily, and her interactions with exploring more (and resulting ignorance) were such a realistic perspective that I think most readers will relate to, or at least have someone that they consider an Olivia with regard to learning more.

Mad Honey should be required reading across the US. It is difficult to put into words how I felt as I read it, and it will stick with me for a long time. The authors did an incredible job sharing a story that many people face in such a sensitive and caring way. I hope this book allows people to start having more open conversations and realize that we’re all just humans who want to be loved and treated with respect.
Thank you to Jodi Piccoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan, Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.