Picoult always writes thought-provoking stories that challenge everything I think I already know. If I'm being honest, many of her most recent books haven't worked for me - her writing has felt like it's become formulaic and predictable - so I was excited, but nervous, to pick this one up. First of all, my fears were unfounded. This was the old Picoult I used to know and love. The writing was engrossing, the characters were fully developed and brought to life, and I was hooked from the first pages. I didn't see the big twist coming (no spoilers), and unfortunately, it really didn't work for me. I appreciate how Picoult always pushes boundaries and helps me see alternative ideas and viewpoints, but I just couldn't find my way to common ground with the main idea of this one. I was absolutely confused about my thoughts and feelings - for that reason alone, I give this one a higher rating - but it still wasn't a book I could fully get behind

Olivia McAfee and her son Asher moved back to Olivia’s childhood house a dozen years ago to get away from her abusive husband. Lily Campanello and her mother Ava have just moved to town, looking for their own fresh start. Asher and Lily, both in their senior year of high school, quickly fall for each other. With Asher, Lily feel happy for the first time, although their relationship is not without its rocky points. When Olivia receives a phone call that Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by police, she can’t believe he would ever be suspected of murdering the girl he loves, despite the flashes of his father she occasionally sees in him.

Another Jodi Picoult novel that lived up to my expectations! Picoult and Finney Boylan did an excellent job co-writing the novel so that their individual voices flowed well together. I absolutely loved learning in the author notes at the end of the story that this book came to be because Finney Boylan had a dream about cowriting a book with Picoult! Thank goodness for that dream. As always, Picoult brings to life issues in current events, writing thoughtfully about these issues and making people take a deep look at them. I enjoyed learning about Olivia’s beekeeping in this story. Check out <i>Mad Honey</i>!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book.

I would give this a 4.5 if the ending didn't seem so rushed. I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book. I didn't anticipate the twist midway. There was a lot of text on bee keeping - much of that could have been devoted to a less rushed and abrupt ending

▪️REVIEW▪️

Mad Honey ~ Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

🙏🏼 Thank you @jodipicoult @jenniferfinneyboylan @penguinrandomhouse and @netgalley for this eARC copy - this one just came out October 4th!

▪️READ IF:
* You are curious about the job of an apiarist.
* You remember your first love.
* There’s some yummy honey in your cabinet!

▪️SUMMARY: Olivia McAfee moves back to New Hampshire to not only escape a dangerous marriage but also to take over her father’s beekeeping business. Lily Campanella is also new to New Hampshire and hopes the move will bring a fresh start.

When Lily starts dating Olivia’s son Asher, she gets the do-over she so desires until tragedy strikes and everything is this small New Hampshire town is turned upside down.

▪️REVIEW: Jodi Picoult does it again! I absolutely loved Wish You Were Here so expectations were high for this one. Mix in a new author for me in Jennifer Finney Boylan and I was impressed to say the least. Mad Honey has a little bit of everything - family secrets, young love, interesting tidbits, courtroom drama, social issues, a bit of mystery, and a twist you won’t see coming. A lot of Defending Jacob vibes for those who have read!

I just think Picoult is such a beautiful storyteller and an exacting researcher and this was no exception. Add Boylan’s perspective and it’s chefs kiss! The pace builds perfectly despite a whopping 464 pages to read - while the length initially made me nervous, I quickly latched on to a really captivating plot and it didn’t matter anymore!

Some topics to be aware of before picking up - domestic abuse, trans rights, suicide, depression - which is of course, fueling commentary. Some say “too woke” or filled with a “political agenda” - I didn’t feel that way. Picoult always takes on pressing issues in her books and this was no different. I say it’s a yes if you’re looking for a multi-dimensional read with a lot of depth that’s also just written so beautifully!

I am a huge Jodi Picoult fan and am somewhat familiar with Jennifer Finney Boylan's work. I had high expectations going in and this story did not disappoint! The first chapter set the stage and the rest of the story flowed naturally from there. There was no awkwardness in the writing with two authors sharing their craft. I have seen so many reviews and comments on social media and book review sites so I know there is a great deal of praise for this book. In full honesty, I have a few chapters left but I did not want to miss out on leaving some feedback here. I am expecting a bit of a twist coming based on past experience with Picoult's books. I can't wait to share with my daughter!

I was happy to be offered a NetGalley ARC widget of Mad Honey in exchange for my honest opinion. I started to read this summer and predicted it would be a book club pick (Good Morning America chose it for their October Book Club pick!). Thank you to Random House and the authors for sending me an amazing package of goodies along with a finished copy!
I have been reading Picoult’s books for a long time (I preordered Nineteen Minutes in my first year teaching back in 2006), and I was so excited to read a new courtroom trial drama, because I have fond memories of reading her legal dramas. Like many of Picoult’s books, Mad Honey tackles current controversial topics and educates the reader in a non-lecturing manner. I loved learning about beekeeping, and I saw Olivia’s job of maintaining and nourishing her bees as analogous to Ava taking care of her daughter Lily. I was intrigued by the different schools described in the story, and I was happy that Lily finally ended up at the NH high school, which reminded me of the school where I teach. I was a bit too emotionally invested in the book, especially as the new school year began, and forced myself to take a considerable break before returning to devour the rest this week. I still cried multiple times! I highly recommend this one to readers of Picoult’s early books and readers who enjoy family dynamics mixed with high school students and legal thrillers. Quite the mix, I know!
Finally, the fact that this co-written book came into existence because of a dream shared on Twitter is amazing - one of the best things to come out of social media! If you don’t know about it, the author’s note(s) address it, but I think you can search for it online without finding any spoilers.
Mad Honey is one of my top reads for 2022, which is saying a lot.

This is another well-written, heart-wrenching story from Jodi Picoult and her new co-author Jennifer Finney Boylan. Picoult is a master of choosing current, timely issues and expounding upon them in a way that is sensitive, thought-provoking and entertaining. I really enjoyed the plot and felt connected to the very authentic characters. This will be a hit with book clubs.

With a fast paced start, I was immediately hooked. However, the pace of this book slowed down drastically after a major plot twist leading a book that while interesting, was tough to finish.

I loved the multiple narrators, the backstory, the trial, and the constant wondering of whether or not this teenage boy killed his girlfriend. But the long chapters made this really tough for me to get through. Rather than wanting to read more, I had to break up the chapters and ultimately was disappointed that an over 400 page book was rapidly tied together in 2 pages at the end.

3.5/5 stars

Jodi Picoult has been one of my favorite authors for years and years. She takes on topics that many would deem “controversial or hot.” What I always love about her is that I feel she presents them fairly and well-balanced, but she usually tears my heart out along the way too.

In Mad Honey, we are presented with two perspectives of the story, one written by Jodi Picoult and one by her co-author Jennifer Finney Boylan. One side is a mother trying to protect and save her son. The other is a flashback of a young girl trying to move forward, fall in love, and tell the truth.

Lily, a young girl, is found dead by her boyfriend, Asher. Immediately, Asher is arrested, and his mother, Olivia, must do everything she can to help her son. This story becomes a courtroom drama, as well as a young girl's personal struggle, as told in Lily’s flashbacks.

I must admit that the courtroom scenes and Olivia explaining her beekeeping were some of my favorite parts of this book. I did predict the ending, but I still enjoyed the book immensely.

Thank you @penguinrandomhouse for the gifted ebook and thank you to @PRHaudio for the complimentary audiobook.

The book is told in two parts – one is with time going forward and the other timeline going backwards. I find it odd when a book is told backwards in time. The main story line is about a teenage romance, which ends up with the young girl dead. Most of the book is the trial, with the boyfriend being accused of her death. We are sure he didn’t do it, but maybe, and if not him, who or how did she die? So, a little bit of a mystery.

Like Picoult’s other books this one has a strong social awareness aspect, but it felt over the top with this one. Several times (three at least) we are told how and why a person is as they are, and it was too much. Once, maybe even twice if it was short, but no it went on, and this preaching at me really detracted from the book. I appreciate the thoughts and understanding behind the book, but it would have been a better story without this. The book itself seemed to be going on and on, and easily could have eliminated many pages.

I liked all the information about bees and honey contained in the book, that was a nice touch. There are many issues thrown into this book, which sometimes felt heavy-handed, but life can be like that too. Just wished for less lectures, and wished the authors trusted their readers more.

Mad Honey fell a bit flat for me. It grabbed me by the throat at the beginning and I was totally invested, but as the story went on it seemed disjointed and dragged. Olivia and Asher’s storyline I was all in and also Asher and Lily’s relationship as that grew. Then you have a buildup for a major event that happened and suddenly that is over, then a twist near the end with an abrupt ending. I wanted more of the main storyline and not what seemed like interjections of hot topics in our society.

This story. Wowzers! It will draw you in and not let you go. That honey is sticky and keeps you planted in this truly gripping story.

Olivia and Asher have a good, regular life in a small town. A town where people don’t even lock their doors. Then, Lily shows up and turns Asher’s world upside down. With Lily comes a long coming of age and change drama and when the two mix, it’s magic. Then Lily is dead and Asher is accused. What really happened to Lily and was it murder in the heat of passion?

I enjoyed the two person narration. Two different points of views. I enjoyed the way bees and honey related to the wildness that was occurring throughout. The dramatic twists and turns were so good. The subject matter, I was honestly not familiar with in detailed form so it piqued my curiosity. It was extremely well written and it tore at my heart. People just want love and to feel loved and to be treated with that love. I loved it and for that reason I’m giving it 4 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the review copy!

This got me hooked in right away even though I felt there was way too much about honey and bees. I liked the legal drama with morals and ethics driving it for all the people involved making the readers also ponder on how they would react based on this situation. Olivia's son, Asher is the prime suspect in the murder case of his girlfriend, Lily and the plot constantly makes us doubt him at times and also question the who vaildity of the case at times.

Did he do it ? Were any new secrets that pushed him to do it? Or is Asher not guilty at all and was just at wrong place at wrong time? These questions kept coming at me throughout the book right till the end. I don't know what it is about the author's writing that it just pulled me in and it is not complicated style as well. It is flowy and beautiful as well. The first half focussed on Lily and Asher's relationship and the twist right at the middle set up the rest of the book on an another level together. It was really sad how the trial turns their life upside down and the turmoil is really upsetting. There is grief, abuse, loss, healing, learning life lessons, growing, hope, love all happening at same time in their lives that made it really beautiful!

Jodi Picoult is the queen of controversy and puts in the work to show multiple perspectives of every character. Jennifer Finney Boylan gives her own voice to tell the tragic story of Lily. Thought provoking, heart wrenching and brutally honest.

This was a fantastic read! I learned a lot about beekeeping and loved the story of a mother's love, but also the very relevant tackling of the complexities of teen life today. Definitely worth your time, even if Jodi Picoult is not normally for you.

It’s been a while since I’ve picked up a Jodi Picoult book but this collaboration with Jennifer Finney Boylan sounded like the type of story that would have me turning the pages quickly. I was not wrong.

Firstly, I want to say that I found the portrayal of domestic violence fairly satisfying, in that it felt realistic to me. If you’ve read some of my previous reviews on books surrounding this theme, you might remember that I’ve expressed great disappointment in how frivolous some authors can be with this topic. In this, it felt well-researched and understood, and as a survivor of DV, I truly appreciate that. It should never be used to thrill and entertain.

The domestic violence background plays a large role in how we (as readers), as well as Olivia (the accused’s mother) perceive Asher (the accused). Is he capable of significant violence? Could he have pushed his girlfriend down the stairs in a fit of rage? These are the questions that loomed and kept me glued to the story. I wouldn’t say the suspense was intense, but it did feel just right to me, and I tend to enjoy legal dramas.

I enjoyed all of the bee and honey analogies throughout the narrative. They helped give the story depth and while I don’t know much I’ll retain, I do feel it was rather educational.

I could have done without Olivia’s bonus romance. I’m all for DV survivors finding a good partner (if they desire a partner), but I don’t think this component really added to the story. It was an unnecessary distraction from the important aspects.

The only other thing I didn’t care too much for was the reveal. It could have been jaw dropping, but it felt so rushed and anticlimactic. I wish this has been better developed.

Mad Honey is an engaging blend of social commentary and intriguing mystery. Despite my minor quibbles, I enjoyed the story quite a bit, and I suspect lovers of some of Picoult’s earlier books, like The Pact, will find this to be a hit for them, as well.

I am immensely grateful to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for my digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

To say this booked consumed me is an understatement. It’s a brilliant collaboration between these two talented authors. You will never see the twist coming in this book. This is the type of story that makes you think. I will be thinking about this book for a very, very long time.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have never read a Jodi Picoult novel before so I came in without any expectations. It started out strong as I enjoyed her writing style. However, I could do without the extensive explanations about beekeeping. The opposing timelines went in different directions which made it hard to follow at times. I did not see mid-book twist coming. That is not what turned me off from the book after the twist. I truly cared for Lily and her well-being. However, I believe the book promotes controversial procedures. I felt it went too in depth about the procedures which wasn’t truly relevant. Overall, while I understand the author’s desire to discuss various social issues, I felt like it was too heavy on technical aspects which overshadowed the characters.

I went into this one with high hopes. Jodi is usually always a win for me but to be honest I was so bored through about 50% of this one. It’s told through two different points of view and though I get what the point was by having the one point of view told backwards in time I feel like it would have been better if it was told the opposite way. I also guessed the plot twist at the beginning and I’m not sure if it was the authors intent but I couldn’t stand one of the main characters. Still a descent read but unfortunately this one wasn’t a winner for me.

Do overs, new beginnings, and young love.

Olivia McAfee moved back to her hometown with her son, Asher, after leaving her husband. Never in her wildest dreams did she think that she would be back and running her father's beekeeping business. But it has given her a chance for a new beginning.

Lily Campanello is a teenager who is starting over after moving to Adams, New Hampshire to finish her final year of high school. She is hoping that this new beginning will give her a chance to start over.

Lily and Asher meet, and Lily is happy, but their relationship has its ups and downs and is not always pleasant. Then Olivia is informed that Lily is dead, and her son Asher is being held by the police for questioning.

Whew! Picoult and Boylan have written a thought provoking, moving and captivating tale about secrets, the past, starting over, love and being yourself.

Picoult and Boylan obviously did a lot of research or maybe one of them (or both) keep bees. Either way, readers will learn a lot about beekeeping amongst other things in this book that I will not give away. This book is relevant and packs a punch.

With all Picoult's books this was well written and thought out. I also did not see the reveal coming! I had my theories and did not get it right. But I love being surprised and the authors pulled it off.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.