Emotionally stirring and breathtaking, Mad Honey is a vivid, raw, thought-provoking novel about loyalty and risks, secrets and honesty, being broken and being healed. Most of all, it's a book about having the courage to live your fullest life as your truest self with joy instead of fear. And it's a book everyone should read.

After leaving an abusive relationship, Olivia McAfee has settled on her family's farm in Adams, New Hampshire with her son, Asher, and spends her days tending her beehives and harvesting the honey they produce. At the beginning of Asher's senior year, Lily Campanello moves to town with her mother, and Asher is immediately smitten. Soon, Lily and Asher are spending every moment together, falling in love the way only teenagers can. But one December day, Olivia receives a call from Asher with horrifying news: Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by the police about her death.

Mad Honey unfolds on two timelines from two points of view. We follow Olivia in the days and months following Asher's arrest, as he's put on trial for Lily's murder; and we follow Lily starting from the end of her life, back to the beginning of her time in Adams. Picoult and Finney Boylan discuss how they wrote their chapters separately in their authors' note, but their writing styles blend into each other seamlessly; in fact, I can recall reading very few, if any, co-written books that flowed as cohesively as Mad Honey does. These dual perspectives combined with emotionally resonant writing, a gripping courtroom setting, and careful plotting kept me completely riveted from beginning to end.

What I've always admired about Picoult as an author is her willingness to go there by taking a socially relevant, sometimes controversial, topic, and dissecting it from all angles with compassion, empathy, thoughtfulness, and relatable facts. Two things are for sure with Picoult's novels: She's going to make you think, and she's going to teach you something. Mad Honey is no exception. Picoult and Finney Boylan use Mad Honey to teach us about bees and honey, heart surgery, classical music, and forestry, among other timely and important topics that I don't want to reveal since they're tied to the book's main twist. These topics are used not only to add texture to their brilliantly-realized characters, but also to serve as a metaphor for the book's main themes. Picoult has always done this so well, and it's one of the things that sets her apart from so many other contemporary fiction writers.

Mad Honey is compelling and readable, and it has a powerful narrative impact. This is a book that will make you think about and question your expectations and opinions, and while that can be an uncomfortable process, it's also one that is so very important.

Jodi Picoult has long been a favorite author of mine, and an instant buy. When I saw she was writing with Jennifer Finney Boylan, I was ecstatic. This book did not disappoint at all, especially when one of my favorite characters from a few of the other books returned. I can’t wait to put this in customers hands!

Well, I devoured this in just a couple of sittings.

This is one that's hard to write about without spoiling anything, so I'll say:

1. The co-authorship worked really well for this book (and the story of how the two authors came together is really cute!)

2. The writing is really engaging and made the book hard to put down. Switching between Olivia and Lily's perspectives worked really well. The decision for Lily's chapters to go in reverse chronological order also worked really well for keeping the tension high

3. I kind of predicted the ending, but how everything came together felt a bit rushed. The pacing was so excellent throughout, but the last couple of chapters felt too rushed.

4. I'm craving honey now...

Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finley Boylan seamlessly collaborate on this unforgettable story of love, loss, and secrets. Picoult writes the viewpoint of Olivia McAfee, who has left her abusive husband behind in Boston and returned to her small hometown in New Hampshire with her teenage son Asher to start fresh. She takes over her late father's large beekeeping and honey-producing business and settles into a life she feels is safe for her son and herself. Finney Boylan writes the viewpoint of Lily Campanello, a new girl in town who falls in love with Asher.

For a while, the two teens seem to be enjoying an idyllic first love -- until Lily dies and Asher becomes the prime suspect. Olivia can't believe her son killed the girl he loves, but she is haunted by the flashes of his father's violent temper that she has seen in Asher. The truth of what happened to Lily is elusive, and to say more would spoil a stunning revelation for readers.

This is the kind of story that makes you think, makes you feel like crying at times, and stays with you long after you read the last page.

"Mad Honey" might just be my favorite Jodi Picoult book ever, and I've read them all! I was completely blindsided by the twist. Though this book is long, I absolutely devoured it in just two days; I simply could not put it down. Though other reviewers complain that the book is too long, I do not agree. I think every word is important to adequately tell the story.

I love how Jodi and her coauthor were brave enough to write this thought provoking and educational novel, even though I am sure there will be backlash (as they authors themselves admit). This book tackles many timely and sensitive topics in an informative and gentle way. It does not shy away from difficult issues and the authors do not hide their views on such issues. I feel that this is a story that needed to be written and I'm glad it was written by such talented writers. I give this book five big shiny stars!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this mesmerizing book in exchange for my honest review. It truly was a privilege.

A powerful plot, unforeseen twists, and compelling characters will keep readers enthralled throughout the pages of Mad Honey. Co-authors Picoult and Boylan brilliantly entwine heavy, important topics in a story that is also emotionally affecting.

Olivia and Lily both sought new beginnings in New Hampshire, where their lives merge and evolve in a set of circumstances no one could have predicted. Olivia returned to her hometown from Boston with her son, Asher, after the disintegration of her abusive marriage. Her fresh start led her to management of her father's beekeeping business. Lily and her mom relocated to the town of Adams for a fresh start in Lily's senior year of school.

I was intrigued by the masterful writing collaboration of Picoult and Boylan. Moving from the fascinating world of beekeeping to drama of the courtroom, the book is a page turner. With impeccable research about bees to and an intelligent, riveting plot, this writing team delivered a book that's not to be missed and won't be forgotten.

Thank you to Net Galley and Corina Diez with Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, Ballantine Books for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.

Jodi Picoult has done it again! She writes a book that you think is about one thing and then there is a twist and it is really about something else. This is one of Picoult's better books. She writes a good story while also teaching you about something, in this case, beekeeping. Mad Honey has similarities to Nineteen Minutes and The Pact, two of my favorites of Jodi Picoult.

This is a tough one to review because the meatiest parts of the story are major spoiler alerts. So, this basic summary may seem a little cryptic...

Olivia is the single mother to Asher, an eighteen-year-old student and hockey player. One day, he's found in his girlfriend Lily's home with her dead and bleeding after a fall down the stairs. Asher is accused of her murder, and the book follows the trial, the heartbreaks, and all the events leading up to this tragic event.

Much like Jodi Picoult's last book, Wish You Were Here, Mad Honey has a huge, unexpected twist around the halfway point. At first I was a little annoyed that this new information was used to add some shock factor to an already heavy plot, but I felt it was handled throughout the rest of the book with care and respect. The book raises a lot of deep questions, and I can picture it being a great choice for a book club. The beekeeping parts were interesting too.

Lilly and Asher have just started dating. And their love story should have been fabulous. But, life takes a terrible turn. Lilly has died and Asher is accused of her murder. Asher’s mother, Olivia, calls in her brother, Jordan to represent Asher. And things just keep turning in the wrong direction.

To say I loved this book is an understatement! And yes, this is in true Jodi fashion. A “ripped from the headlines” story which had me all torn up, in more ways then one. And no, I will not give it away…but the story has a shocker twist right in the middle and it changed the whole novel!

Now, this story is not flawless. There are several decisions made in this novel which are contrived to fit the story. (Not sure if this makes sense.) For instance, I felt like the case against Asher was not strong enough and this was not really expanded on. It was just assumed the reader would not see it and follow this author blindly. That being said, I still could not stop reading and I was completely captivated by Asher’s situation. So, I guess I am that reader!

Need a story which will have you viewing a situation from all sides and will have you reading well into the night…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

Read If You Like:
*books with controversial topics
*court room procedural dramas
*well researched novels

In true Jodi Picoult fashion, this was a very well researched novel that centered around an important/controversial topic that should be discussed. This book will make an excellent book club pick as it lends itself to lots of great discussion on what it means to be a woman, how people struggle to fit in the world, what kinds of information is other people’s business or not. I’m vague because I don’t want to spoil anything, so you should go in completely blind to this story if you choose to read it. It was a long for my taste. If we cut about 75 pages it still could have done the plot/characters justice IMO — and honestly I’m not sure how I feel about the ending. I hurt for all of these characters throughout— it’s a heavy one.

I’m looking forward to discussing this novel as people get their hands on it.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review…I could. Not get into this book by two authors with the two voices. Others might really like it though.

“I am not a mistake. I am a miracle. Can’t you see?” “If there is room under heaven for all of these miraculous things, couldn’t there be room for me?”

By far, one of my absolute top reads of the year!!! This book took my breath away and literally touched my very soul. Painful and thought provoking, with contemporary relevance, it is filled with emotion, written in a way that will make you pause and pick up your heart spilled on the floor.

Jodi Picoult goes back to her earlier style, similar to books like The Pact. This is a story written from 2 POVs: (1) Olivia, a mom who escapes her abusive marriage and raises her son as a single parent and (2) Lily, the 18 year old girlfriend of Olivia’s son (Asher), who escapes her past to live the life she’s meant to live. There is a murder trial/mystery, abuse, secrets/privacy and a beautiful love story… I don’t want to give too much away but the book is incredible, unputdownable, and will make you think.

This is brilliant writing…coauthored by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. Picoult primarily wrote the Olivia chapters while Boylan wrote the Lily chapters. (Lily 5!!! So much to stir your soul!!) But each POV has one chapter written by the opposite author and now I want to reread to try to figure out which ones lol!! Olivia chapters move forward in time, while Lily chapters go backwards in time. Which was a clever take on Kierkegaard: “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” However, I tended to get confused in the timelines, losing context of what happened and when they happened when looking at Lily’s past. But honestly, I can get past that because everything else was absolutely incredible. It’s a book that will stay with you.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

“I am floating free above myself like the human cannonball, and that after a lifetime of being chained to the earth by my own flesh, I am unbound.”

#madhoney #jenniferfinneyboylan #jodipicoult #netgalley #ballantinebooks #penguinrandomhouse

Jodi Picoult's books are hit or miss for me. My most common complaint is that they are longer than they need to be and are filled with a lot of facts that don't necessarily add to the story. The same is true for Mad Honey. While, I enjoyed for the most part the bits about bees, beekeeping, and honey, I didn't find them relevant and they just added to the length of the book. I, however, appreciate the level of research that is evident in her novels. This book should come with all the trigger warnings. I feel that I was slightly bamboozled as to the true nature of Mad Honey. The first quarter of the book was unputdownable for me and the twist is truly shocking but after that, it felt as if every single social justice issue of our day was thrown in there to the point that it really took away from the book. I forced myself to finish it because I needed to know how Lily died but would have been easily fine with a DNF. I was slightly shocked at the final reveal but by that point I didn't really care anymore, I think shortening the book significantly and focusing more on one one two issues would have tremendously helped. The storyline also jumped around a lot which made it difficult to follow at times. This was definitely a case of not for me.

I will start by saying I have never read any previous works from either of these prolific authors, but I had heard the buzz for this book and decided to give it a try. The good news is I was not disappointed. Books, show, and movies that largely follow trials and offer a did he/she/they do it narrative seem very commonly, but this novel brought in themes that made it unique. I won't discuss that twist to avoid spoilers, but the way the authors handle this twist is very admirable. I found many characters in this novel to be likable and interesting, along with a few who were just the opposite, but the characters made me want to keep reading to see how they all ended up, and made me sad that Lily's story ended too soon. The courtroom and trial related aspects also felt real and accurate making these parts compelling. I would definitely recommend this book as someone who was not a fan of these authors before reading, and I am sure that fans and close followers will really enjoy it as well.

Melodramatic Timely Tale

The first half of the book was superb. The authors presented us with definitive characters and the reader could surmise the outcome in various scenarios.

Olivea McAfee is a bright, strong woman, physically and emotionally. She left her successful husband, a cardiac surgeon, who had initially charmed her into loving him. After they were married, he showed himself to be an abuser. They had a son, Asher, which prompted Olivea to leave when three-year-old Asher tried to stop his father Braden from hitting his mother. Olivea took Asher and left, divorcing Braden, moved to New Hampshire and took up her dad’s profession as a beekeeper.

This was odd, but Olivea was odd to a fault. When her son Asher is accused of murder, she seems to avoid reality and her reactions become superficial and often shallow. Not so the other main character, Lilly. Lilly is a wonderful compilation of courage and intellect., Lilly was talented and very smart; she was probably the most intuitive of the primary and secondary characters.

Asher and Lilly fall in love. Their relationship could have been short-lived, but the authors loaded the pages with their all-consuming love and tentativeness. There is a possible murder, bad things happen one after the other, more characters are introduced to move the plot along.

The trial is very interesting, introducing testimonies that are meaningful and detailed. Surprises occur, the reader has possibly predicted the outcomes, but the nuance of the scenes is well worth the read. There are some acts that overly dramatic, repetitive and too poetic, but there is enough to like about the story to keep reading and get to the ending. 3.5 stars

My gratitude to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this pre-published copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is truly story about love - a mother’s love, young love and a love of yourself to be the true you. I strongly suggest you read the synopsis, and prepare yourself for the WHAT!?!?! moment at about the half way mark. My son was sitting next me when it happened, and I stopped to tell him what just happened.

The character experiences in this story are heartbreaking and joyous at the sametime. This is a powerful story about your free right to choose. It also touches on the craft of bee keeping - truly fascinating the nature of bees.

Two powerful writers collaborate for a 5-star read. Thank you Random House / Ballantine for the #gifted copy of this novel. Fabulous book to kick-off the month of October reading.

Jodi Picoult is such a dependable author for me, and this book was no exception. It is classic Picoult-- solid writing, a courtroom case, some social issues, etc. While this was pretty reminiscent of the books that first got me started reading Picoult over a decade ago, there were some interesting aspects here that I wasn't expecting. I'll also say that though this is written by two authors, I couldn't tell! I hadn't read any of Boylan's work before, but the styles meshed very well. I do think this story works really well if you can go in without knowing too much, but I do have some spoilers below, so stop here!

First, the bees. I'm sure there was some metaphor in there but I didn't really care all that much to look too closely at it, and you don't need to for the story. The bees could have been entirely removed, and this book definitely has enough already going on (some may say too much) without it.

Part of my experience reading this book was kind of my fault. Having read a lot of Jodi Picoult, I know she is often one to take on social topics that are hot in the media, so the twist in here, though kind of surprising, really shouldn't have been. My immediate concern was that I wasn't sure this was Jodi's story to tell. What I was unaware of was Jennifer Finney Boylan's lived experience as a trans woman, which I didn't learn until the acknowledgements of the book (again, this is my bad).

While I thought Lily's chapters were thoughtfully written, what did start to feel a little sticky for me was some of the rhetoric in Olivia's chapters. Given Picoult's audience, which I assume is mostly white, middle aged, cis women, I hope that they are able to grasp the nuance in this book and not just latch on to some of Olivia's/the town's ignorance (also plz do not go ask your local trans woman to educate you). This book does skew a little "Trans 101" but again, given the audience I hope it's informative and eye-opening. I saw the ending coming and didn't love it, but I get the need for closure.

Overall, this book is what I expect when I crack open a Jodi Picoult book, so I think fans of hers will enjoy.

Mad Honey is a mesmerizing and devastating family drama story centered around teenage Lily's sudden death. This is a soul-stirring novel about what we choose to keep from our past and what we choose to leave behind—highly recommended.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had to sleep on this one before I rated it. Mad Honey really had me stopping. Thinking. Revising. Revisiting. Picoult and Boylan cover a few controversial topic with an open mind and an open heart.
This book is written in dual POVs. First we hear from Olivia McAfee. Olivia is a sister, beekeeper, divorced from an abusive marriage, and mother of Asher. Asher is an only child, senior, captain of hockey team, best friends since childhood of Maya, volunteer, and falls in love with Lily.
Lily is the second POV. Lily and her mom, Ava, recently moved to small town where the McAfee’s moved to years earlier. As the blurb says: Lily is murdered and Asher is being questioned.
Picoult is noted for her thorough research and twists that makes you think; “ Wait, What? Mad Honey is no different except the twist came early. 47% into the book early. 😳. Wait! What?
I’m not sure if I was upset because I did not see it coming or because I did not see it coming!!! Holy moly! The story unfolds with Olivia telling you about her emotional roller coaster her married life had been. The coaster continues with her son on trial for murder of his girlfriend. The unconditional love a mother has for a child has no end. When is protecting your child pushed to far? Is it ever to much? Do you really know your child and their limits? Olivia is faced with hidden facts and secrets presented in court. Fear strikes - her son could be facing life in prison if found guilty.
Then theirs the FACTS about bees and honey. They were so detailed and tied into character that I would shake my head and think well done Picoult!
Lily’s chapters were engrossed in her childhood and her emotional roller coaster growing up. You really got to know Lily threw her eyes. Life can be harder for some people. Especially when people are ignorant, rude, and clueless. To a teenager with hormones bouncing off the walls - how much can one take until enough is enough. You feel Lily’s pains and sufferings.
Lily, like all of us, wants to be accepted for who we are. This book contains topics of suicide, transgender, abuse, interracial couples, bees, honey, and love in all shades.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, I love this book! Thriller that is told from two people's perspective, the girlfriend and the mother. Timely topics and that said, it will not be everyone's cup of tea, but I loved it. Secrets are revealed as you read this book, so you are always wanting more. Couldn't put the book down and still thinking bout it long after the last page.