Liv’s life isn’t perfect, but she fought incredibly hard to get to where she is — a beekeeper in the same house she grew up in raising her 18-year-old son Asher. Then one day she gets the call that changes her entire life. Lily, Asher’s girlfriend, is dead, and Asher is a suspect. The story unfolds with Liv’s perspective chronologically and Lily’s in reverse — both starting on the day of her death.

I went into this kind of blind and wow was I shocked when I hit the twist. I read on a plane and my friends were sleeping and I was just silently freaking out! If you don’t want to go in entirely blind, know that’s this is a bit of a mystery, a bit of a courtroom drama, and a bit of a teen romance. There is a trans character in the story but you really aren’t supposed to know who so 🤐 I didn’t even want to mention that but I also have to comment on how incredibly well done the representation of the trans community is. Just so beautiful!

3.5 rounded up

The authors try to do too much with this book, diluting the intensity and punch it could have had if they stuck to one topic. Instead we get a mess of gender and sexuality issues that muddle the plot that detracts from the fact that this is Lily's story. It should have just been about her, it would have been enough of a book to just be about her, and she deserves her own book.

It would have taken a good book and made it great.

Inclusion of the information about bees is an interesting and engaging way to show that transgenderism is, in fact, a part of our natural world.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

I have had a rough go with Picoult’s books lately (really disliked the last two), but I absolutely loved this one! It felt more like her writing from years ago, which I always devoured 🧡

I loved the twists that occurred throughout this novel. I didn’t see them coming, which always makes my reading experience better. I love being taken by surprise.

I don’t want to give anything away, but I’ll say that the topics in this novel are very timely (as is often with her books), and a powerful and beautiful story about loving someone for who they truly are.

I was crying at times, and angry at others. Heartbroken for Lily’s mother, but frustrated for Asher’s mom. There were so many emotions going on while reading this. I highly recommend reading it if you love Picoult’s prior novels, books that keep you on the edge, emotional reads, twists and turns, dramatic situations, or just damn good writing 💜

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this one!

This is another emotional book from Jodi Picoult and my introduction to Jennifer Finney Boylan. I was really impressed with the sections Boylan wrote and honestly didn't notice whichever part it was where she and Jodi swapped POVs. I will be interested in reading more of her work.

I thought the characters were well developed and there were enough side characters to make you wonder about what really happened to Lily, but not so many that you would get confused.

I wasn't able to read this book in a timely enough manner, so in order to help me get along faster I grabbed the audiobook narrated by Carrie Coon and Key Taw with author's notes read by the authors. They did a wonderful job. I bounced back and forth between the ebook and audio and enjoyed it equally in both formats. If you prefer one over the other, go for it. It will still be excellent.

My only complaint with this book was that it did feel a little long-winded. It never got to the point of dragging, but there was some repetition of thoughts or themes that could have been cleaned up just a bit. However, it was not enough to affect my enjoyment of the story, so 4.5 stars rounding up.

#MadHoney #NetGalley

Short synopsis: When Olivia received a phone call from her son Asher telling her his girlfriend is dead, their world is flipped upside down.

My thoughts: This was a powerful beautifully told story of acceptance, forgiveness, love and tragedy.

Told from the perspective of Olivia (Asher’s mom) and her perspective during and before her sons Murder trial. And Lily (Asher’s girlfriend) as she moves to a new city, her past, and falling in love with Asher and herself.

This story was told so beautifully and seamlessly, I never would have guessed it was written by two different authors. I also found the information about the bees interesting and somehow meshed so well in the story.

I’d suggest going into this story relatively blind, because there is definitely some jaw dropping moments I didn’t see coming from a mile away!

Read if you love:
* Acceptance
* Facts about bees and honey
* Falling in love
* Murder trials
* Love of a mother
* Music

Thank you so much PRH Audio, Ballantine and Netgalley for a copy of this book!

I loved Mad Honey, the storyline, and the way the story was told from different points of view. I loved the murder mystery part and really didn't know who did it! A mother's love, young love. I enjoyed the way the bees were worked into the story. There are a lot of triggers in the book but this is the first time I have read a book that was so closely related to the things I have gone through and been able to compartmentalize what has happened to me and just enjoy the book.

Mad Honey is not the sort of book that I can easily put a rating on. I always pick up Jodi Picoult novels knowing that she highlights what may be viewed as polarizing topics in our current climate. I love the way Picoult highlights complex issues and demands action through her storytelling. I expected nothing less with her latest written with Jennifer Finney Boylan. I appreciated the storyline and character portrayals within Mad Honey. That said, this one missed the mark for me. I’m not sure if it was the lengthy delivery or the disjointed way the plot came together, but I wasn’t as engaged with the characters as I usually feel when reading Picoult. I also must admit that I’m not in a place currently where heavy stories like Picoult’s are easily accessible. So, I’m putting this one away for awhile with the acknowledgment that I may need to reread it at a later date to appreciate the story to its full extent. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for an advance reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

LOVED this book! This book touches on several important topics in a gentle way. Highly recommend for both adults and teens.

Wow. In true Jodi Picoult fashion, the twist in her newest was UNREAL. There is literally no chance you will see this one coming if you go in blind & without reading/watching the author interviews, which I recommend! Jodi’s writing style is such a standout in that while her books are literary/general fiction, she can always throw her readers for a loop.

I loved this book. The only reason it wasn't a solid 5 stars for me was due to the honey/beekeeping stuff seeming kind of random (even after watching author interviews explaining these components). I thought it was interesting, I guess, but didn’t really think it added anything to the plot. Everything else was *chef’s kiss.* Jodi’s plots always explore so many deep & real topics that make her books so eye-opening & memorable. And let's not forget our co-author; though I’d never heard of Jennifer Finney Boylan, her writing in Lily’s chapters flowed so well that I would’ve never thought her chapters were written by a different author. The characters were all SO well developed & the writing easily makes you attached to each of them. The character's stories meshed & flowed like butter & I felt like I could not remove myself from them. The lessons & themes in this book were different than ANY other book I have ever read, or even heard of, & I know it will be a book that is talked about for many years to come.

‼️ I do recommend you read this when you can be fully devoted to the plot, as the past chapters are told out of order & POVs switch sporadically (true to JP writing); it could be confusing for some!

Highly recommend! 🧡

Full post and review on my IG: chandlersbooknook.

It's been awhile since I've read Picoult, and it was quick, intense read.
Several point of views happening in this story. Mom, Olivia, has escaped with her teenage son, Asher, from a dangerous marriage to return to her home town and take over her deceased father's bee-keeping business. Lily, senior in high school, recently relocated to Olivia's home town. She is familiar with do-overs and is also looking for a fresh start, begins dating Asher.
Stuff shifts quickly when Lily is found dead and Asher is a suspect.
So many secrets in this web of people, how desperate they all are to be known for who they really are.

Ava Campanello and her daughter Lily are looking for a fresh start when they pack their car and head for Adams, New Hampshire.

Olivia McAfee is no stranger to fresh starts either. After leaving a tumultuous relationship with her son Asher’s father, she moves back to her hometown of Adams, New Hampsire and takes over the family Beekeeping business.

Lily is now the new girl at Asher’s school and they seem to hit it off almost immediately. Their relationship seems near perfect until Lily is found dead at the bottom of the stairs and Asher is brought in for questioning. As the trial against Asher is persued, secrets from the past are uncovered.

Jodi Picoult is known for her twists, and this novel isn’t exempt. The twist came at the halfway point and was honestly quite shocking. She’s not afraid to bring up hot and controversial topics and I’m not afraid to admit I learned quite a few things I didn’t know.

There’s a lot various subject matters packed into Mad Honey. Without giving too much away, I will just say that I do think it‘s an eye opening and thought provoking novel that will keep readers engaged.

Mad Honey is on bookshelves near you now.
4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley, Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan and the publisher for an e-ARC I’m exchange for an honest review.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan will be the last book by Jodi Picoult I read, the other author I know nothing about. Before I write more I want it to be clear that I don't care what anyone's politics are and I don't care what gender you chose or who you marry, I just don't want any of it to feel like a lecture disguised as a novel. I used to love reading JP books (I've read 14, so not just a couple), but it is obvious in the last few that she has let her political views overwhelm the writing and has decided to make a point of adding in every last heated debate topic possible. This particular book dealt with abortion (as in not just saying someone had one, but also the suction sounds of the vacuum, describing it happening), two suicide attempts (with descriptors), domestic violence with one person (a highly regarded surgeon) never charged, transgender (again, not just saying someone is transgender but also describing the surgery), gay parents (on a minor character, yet this had to be mentioned multiple times where it did not matter), etc. I also am 100% against any sort of medical intervention/surgery being done on minors for transgender, so that was a personal issue of mine that I had trouble getting past as this character was 12 or 13 when the process began. It is extremely rare for me to do this, but I had to set this book aside at 56% read. I realize there is most definitely an audience for this genre, it simply isn't me. I really wish there was something, anything in the book description that let on to what this book entailed, that way I would have skipped it.

I don't even know where to start with Mad Honey. It truly might be one of the best books I've read in a long time. Not only was it powerful and heartfelt, but it was also an incredibly eye-opening and important story that EVERYONE should read.

Like many, I've been a Jodi Picoult fan for years. I've read everything she's published (including the novel she wrote with her daughter!) and have always loved how she brings hard topics to the forefront with powerful and moving stories. Mad Honey is no different and it's hands down one of my favorites from her ever. I truly hope Jodi and Jennifer Finney Boylan write more together because this collaboration is pure magic.

5 STARS!

Thank you Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for the eARC!

I didn't hate this book, but didn't love it either. There were parts that were interesting and parts that dragged on endlessly. I learned a lot about honey anyway.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
I have been a huge Jodi Picoult fan since middle school and at this point I would read her grocery list.
This novel follows Olivia who is a single mom and beekeeper. Her son Asher is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Lilly. The book is written in 2 points of view: Olivia and Lily. Olivia's timeline moves forward with plot, Lily's timeline moves backward. This was a bit hard to follow and the writing style felt strained and atypical from Jodi's typical matter-of-fact, down to earth writing style. When I read the author's note, it made sense to me when I learned that Jenny Boylan wrote Lily's chapters and Picoult wrote Olivia's. I really identified with Olivia to an extent because she is trying to move on and do her best despite trauma in her past. I did not like the character of Asher because he felt manipulative and said some gaslighting type of things. The first third of this book reminded me of The Pact, but then there is a reveal that changes the course of the plot and the discussions. This book had good representation, and in typical Picoult fashion, raises awareness to social issues without convincing you what you should believe or why. She just lays the breadcrumbs well.
I did guess the ending, but I am also very intune to Jodi and how she does her twists and reveals, Even though I guessed the resolution, I felt like it was well done.
This book wasn't anything earth shattering and I don't know that it well be an all-time favorite Jodi book, but I am glad I read it and I think it has a lot of great hard-hitting discussion.

Jodi Picoult is an instant buy for me and this one is no exception!
This was an engrossing and eerie story that had me unable to put the book down. I went in unsure of what exactly this book is about and my recommendation is that you do the same! If you enjoyed some of her books from earlier on, then put this one at the top of your tbr.

It’s been a long time since I started a book and finished it all in one day. I devoured this story because it brought me back to the writing that I love so much from Jodi Picoult like 19 minutes and the pact. I seen that there was a co author and I really hoped this would not disappoint and it didn’t. I loved the story in itself and the twist and turns it contained. This book even made my jaw drop. There isn’t really much to say without giving away the story but this is a book about Olivia who runs a bee farm with her son Asher. When Asher saves Lily from some unwanted gesture from another guy they soon fall in love. Even with their arguing and fighting a tragic accident happens and who is too blame.

Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine book for an ARC of this book in turn for an honest review

I don't even know how to start with this review, I really was liking the title, the cover, and everything even the blurb of it. in my head, I thought this was a great honey story and that we will get to learn more about this but it turns out to be a very different story than I thought.

Honey is the story of Asher, who fell in love with a new girl in his school, Asher didn't know meeting this new girl will change his life forever in many ways and some of them will not be pleasant. Asher is now under police investigation, his life is now a leaving hell, he doesn't know what happen, he only knows he didn't do it and he is not willing to be vilified for any of the things that happened.

Olivia is determined to help her son and finally found the truth of what happened no matter if she has to face her evil ex-husband that continuously enjoys making her life a leaving hell.

I don't know if it was because I was hoping and wishing for another story but the drama was too much for me, no to mention it felt like many of the situations we're living now at days, situations we see in the news or that are really making the whole world into chaos were thrown into the story many times but felt too rushed or too out of place.

I love Jodi's Writing but I couldn't identify with this story, I felt out of place at all times but again I'm not sure if it was only because of my expectations or because I didn't want to feel the way the story was making me feel.

This is a good book and story, maybe it wasn't for me but I really recommend reading this book and making your own conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for the advanced copy of Mad Honey in exchange for an honest review.

A tale of family and love, this novel covers a lot of different familial topics. I think it was brilliant that Jodi Picoult co-wrote this with Jennifer Finney Boylan to give authenticity to the voice and character of Lily. While I disagreed with some of the plot choices and the direction of the narrative at times, that is a personal choice and not one which detracts from the novel. This is a thought provoking and well-crafted novel (in the usual Jodi Picoult style) which introduces an element of mystery as well. I highly recommend it!

Wow what a ride! This book was not at all what I expected & I was pleasantly surprised. I don’t want to give away too much in my review, as I feel going into it blind makes the thrill of the reading that much better.

The interweaving of the beekeeping into the plot of the story was an exceptionally creative way to tie up everything in a nice bow, right down to the title. As stated above, I want to be vague, as that will make reading “Mad Honey” all the more sweeter for the reader. Make this a must read on your list this winter!