Jodi Picoult is so gifted at writing dramatic novels that call attention to thought-provoking topics. This novel has some powerful and timely ones. She teams up with Jennifer Finney Boylan for this latest literary fiction with mystery, romance and coming-of-age elements.

This story centers around a mother (Olivia) and a teenager (Lily) who have a second chance at starting there lives over. Olivia left an abusive husband and moved to her hometown to take care of her family farm and bees🐝 along with her son Asher. Lily Campanello is a new student in town and starts a relationship with Asher. Lily dreams of going to Dartmouth or a Conservatory next year for music, but doesn’t get that chance because she is found dead- by Asher. He is arrested for murder before he can grieve for Lily.

Olivia’s first person narrative is the current timeline; beekeeping, Asher’s court trial and reflections of her abusive marriage to Braden. Lily’s narration starts on the day she dies and goes back in time, also reflecting on her past. This was an interesting plot device but heartbreaking in how her story is slowly revealed. Although her story was slightly drawn- out and repetitive.

During Asher’s murder trial, some secrets were exposed making for a riveting drama. That’s when the story truly took off. Olivia entertains the possibility that Asher inherited Braden’s temper and perhaps hurt Lily.

Overall, this novel hits many things I enjoy in novels with the added suspense. I came away learning more than I ever needed to know about beekeeping. It’s so fitting that her queen bees have pop diva names. The authors obviously did a great deal of research and turned this into a compelling read as it explores secrets; where is the line between keeping parts of your life private and being dishonest? What is the price you pay for being honest?

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this advance copy in exchange for my review.

This book won't be for everyone....and that's all I'm going to say on that as I don't want to give away any spoilers.

But I thought it was well crafted. It is told in two points of view. Lilly, the young teenager who falls in love with Asher. And Olivia, who is Asher's mother. Both have unique stories to tell that are slowly revealed as the book progresses. My only critique is Lilly's POV jumps around more in time. After finishing the book I fully understand why but there were times I was confused and maybe misdirected as to what was going on. I don't mind the misdirect like I do the confusion. The characters were very well developed. Fascinating storyline. Honestly, I could see this making a great movie.

I kept guessing how the book would end throughout the whole book and I never did guess it quite correctly. Score one for the authors. I also thought the juxtaposition of the information about bee's throughout was well done. Who knew beekeeping was so fascinating?

Oh.My.God! This book! I could not put it down. I went in completely blind and boy was I in for a WILD ride! Olivia is a bee keeper in a small town with her son Asher, a hockey player and all around popular guy. So when his girlfriend Lily turns up dead and Asher finds her, and is suddenly the main suspect of her murder. Through the trial we see the story unfold, and many secrets escape. Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves.

Look, I don't want to reveal too much because this story is so layered and detailed. I loved the dual perspectives and timelines between Olivia and Lily. This book comes with a ton of trigger warnings but I thought they were handled delicately without revealing too much nitty gritty. There is also a ton of family drama. It did feel a little long and descriptive at some points, but I think that is because I just wanted to know what happened so bad! Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan were so successful in revealing just enough information at the right time. It was perfection!

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review! This book releases 10/04

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to pre-read this book and share my opinions on it.

I am usually a big fan of Jodi Picoult. She tackles controversial, highly emotional issues head-on and doesn't shy away from stepping on the toes of bullies and bigots. Her books are beautifully written, her tales are masterfully crafted and carefully researched, and her characters take the reader through all the ups and downs of human emotion in every story. She even keeps me on the hook throughout courtroom drama, which is rarely a genre that lights my rockets. This one is no different in all of those regards.

However, content-wise, this is not the type of book I would ordinarily pick up. I realize gender and sexuality is THE TOPIC of the times right now, but quite frankly, it bottoms out the list of things I like talking about. Bearing that in mind, I don't want to read enormous portions of any book about a teenager's genitals. Or anyone's, really, but something about it being a teenager in particular made this super cringey. Especially after one of the characters in the book tells another that a transgender person's genitals are "none of your f---ing business." Which, I agree with - I don't want to hear about anyone's, okay? - so I spent most of the book squirming. Reference back to my first point of Jodi Picoult tackling controversial issues (granted, the chapters written that dealt the most graphically with that were written by co-author Jennifer Finney Boylan). So I guess you could say one of the things I like most about Jodi Picoult ended up being my particular stumbling block with this book. Mostly because I fully own the fact that I don't enjoy the topics of gender and sexuality, and very quickly it became apparent that that was where this book was going to spend the majority of its time. If I hadn't agreed to review this book for NetGalley, I likely would have marked it as DNF.

Once we get about two-thirds of the way into the book, we more or less get back to the parts of the story that deal more with finding out how Lily died, whether or not Asher is guilty of murder, etc., and it was much easier to settle into the masterful storytelling. I liked the parts of the story that dealt with picking apart Asher's guilt or innocence. I tore through the courtroom drama with reckless abandon. I loved the parts where Olivia was tending to her bees - I could feel myself mentally leaning into those pages like the curious beekeeping student I am (and let's not forget my excitement at the inclusion of honey recipes in the back of the book!). The writing itself made it hard to put the book down. Ultimately, it was a good book on par with Picoult's usual quality (I can't speak to Boylan's because this is my first foray with her, though I might consider reading the sequel of Ava and Boris on the Appalachian Trail... just as long as she promises that nothing bad will happen to Boris), just not my particular choice as far as subject material and content goes. 2.5 rounded up to 3.

WOW, this is an amazing book! It is thoughtful and compelling; you will not want to put it down. The authors have crafted a story that is, at points, brutal and heart-breaking, but it is beautifully written and so engaging that you will want to read every word. The story of how this book came to be (told by the authors at the end of the book) is incredible and I am grateful that they made it a reality. The only thing that I didn’t love was that one narrator, Olivia, tells her story as it moves forward, and the other, Lily, tells hers backwards. There is a good reason for this, but it resulted in a few moments when I was puzzled, not sure if I was remembering the order of events clearly. It can make it hard to keep track of how things unfold. Almost every character is very real, with good qualities and flaws, which makes them interesting and relatable, and they fill this story with unforgettable moments. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book, which I hope will find a wide audience.

This book was more like the books Picoult wrote when she was a new author, fresh and compelling.
Except this time use has a co-author. I couldn’t tell whose voice was whose while I read.
The book is like mixing a moxie of ingredients together, a cup of this, a dash of that, and the end result is a surprise.
A major bombshell, is dropped which was a major revelation.
I honestly didn’t know how things would end up.
It’s a provocative read.

I have always enjoyed Jodi Picoult's books and while I liked this story it hasn't been my favorite. It felt unnecessarily long and I was looking forward to the court room drama but was let down. It seemed like there was just enough banter and questioning to pass for a trial but it seemed more surface level than anything else. Olivia was so scared and traumatized from her past relationship (understandable) that she let it cloud her judgement with her son and I honestly found her annoying and whiny. Lastly, I know the book is called Mad Honey but I got bored with the amount of bee knowledge and by the time I was halfway through the book I was only skimming those sections. Maybe this one wasn't for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this one totally blind and I am so glad I did. I was glued to each page and fell in love with Ascher and Lily. In true Picoult fashion, she tackles contemporary issues with extensive research and informative prose. I loved the dual point of views and how the timelines went in different directions, one forward and one backward. It was a very unique way to put the story together. Having two authors added to each point of view but fit seamlessly together. This was my first by Jennifer Finney Boylan.

Read this one if you love one of kind characters, contemporary issues and complex relationships.

Can a tendency towards violence against women be inherited? Olivia left her ex-husband twelve years ago when their son, Asher, was only six. Now, Asher’s girlfriend, Lily, has been found dead and Asher has been arrested. Is it a case of the sins of the father revisiting the children? Or is Asher falsely accused? It will take a trial to untangle all the secrets within Mad Honey.

There is a lot going on in this overstuffed plot. Besides Asher’s issues, his girlfriend has her own family and personal problems including domestic violence, suicide attempts and a twist at the book’s midpoint. Olivia runs a beekeeping business so be prepared to read extremely detailed facts about how bees live and how honey extraction is completed.

I have never read a book by either of these authors. While I am impressed with how real the characters feel, it feels like too much plot for one book. I could have done without all the bee descriptions. I realize they are made to show a society that works seamlessly together instead of the way that the two troubled families interact in the book. But I didn’t need pages and pages to get that insight.

The whodunnit was much too obvious for frequent mystery readers. The character building and plot development have the pacing of literary fiction rather than a legal thriller, which was another disappointment for me. However, I’m positive that there are many people who will adore Mad Honey. 4 stars!

Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

This was a crazy book to go into blind. I knew nothing of this book and had heard nothing going into it other than Jodi Picoult was one of the authors and I loved her previous book Wish You Were Here.

I was not prepared for this one! It's essentially a murder mystery, focusing a good part of the book on a court trial while romance was sprinkled in. It packed quite the punch and pulled at my heart strings, especially as a mom of two boys. I don't want to give too much away because I liked how I went into the book blind and was surprised by what was happening. There was one major twist that really shocked me and then a minor one too that I didn't see coming. This book deals with a lot of heavy issues so if you are someone that needs TW before reading a book, I'd definitely recommend doing so for this book. I especially loved how it touched on one specific area and I think all people should read this book for that perspective (sorry for being so vague!). I thought this was a really well done story, although one POV was done in backwards order which at first was very confusing to me. It made sense by the end but I was a little confused. I also loved the added information on bees and honey! It complemented the book well and added a little lightness to the story. Overall, a really good read that I was debating between 4 starts and 4.5.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

Skillfully told, Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Boylan weave a tale of single mothers raising ambitious teenagers. Part of that intricate dance is the story behind how both became single and the role of violence earlier in their lives. Fast forward to the present, and it seems that everyone has put the past behind them and is moving forward, until tragedy strikes. Well written, the trauma is so realistic that I had to put the book down several times. If you like novels that mix love, starting over, violence, then this is the book for you. I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

This novel is absolutely stunning. Jodi Picoult at her best and I'm so excited for her co-author. The emotions are real, fighting for Olivia and her son Asher as the story weaves on. The writers respectfully address current topics within the LGBTQ+ community and the mental health realm. I learned so much about bees and increased my empathy for marginalized. This story is twisty and thought provoking. It's smart and real and a roller coaster of emotion for the reader. Although it felt long at times, I highly recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We wish we could give #MadHoney 6 stars!!! This book was so interesting. Told from the perspective of the mother Olivia and her son’s girlfriend Lily, this book deals with secrets, abuse and love. While difficult to read at points, we were absolutely hooked and needed to know what was going to happen next. There were MULTIPLE jaw-drop moments and an unexpected ending. We also loved how informative the book was - we learned lots of fun facts. We are still thinking about this book days later! Dare we say, our favorite book of the year?

WHAT WE LOVED
+ secrets
+ evokes conflicting emotions
+ shocking end

READ IF YOU ENJOYED
+ Verity
+ In My Dreams I Hold A Knife
+ Carrie Soto Is Back

I applaud Jodi Picoult for delving into sensitive issues and bringing these issues to the forefront with such compelling storylines. This amazing story written by Picoult and a new author to me, Jennifer Finley Borland, is no exception. I laughed a little and cried a lot, but mostly I felt … very very deeply for Olivia, Asher, Lily and Ada. I so wanted to give each of them a giant hug and words of encouragement.
I have to say that I will never look at a bee the same way. I thought I knew a lot about them but realize that I knew so very little. My husband was horrified when I shared one particular passage with him. I have always loved honey and so appreciate the recipes at the end and hope to try many. Having never heard of mad honey it was the most perfect title for this incredible story.
Olivia’s story was so real and told so compellingly. A story that all too often is heard with such frequency. A story that definitely makes the reader think -what would I have done?
Asher’s storyline posed questions as well. Loved the sense of did he or didn’t he running throughout the entire book. My heart truly was with him as he struggled to tell his truth.
Lily’s story served to open my eyes to the feelings that those experiencing discord with their recorded sex at birth must be going through. Such a difficult task for children to navigate, especially if parents are not supportive. Again the reader should be thinking - what would I have done? This thought provoking read has helped me to become more knowledgeable about the issues faced by those who are transgender and so very empathetic to their courageous journies to become who they are in their own hearts. Hoping this book serves to educate many who are unfamiliar with this struggle faced by so many. I can’t help but think that many teen suicide attempts would be nonexistent if the public was more educated. I personally loved the comparisons the authors deftly made to equate the issue to things we are more familiar with, ie trying to wear clothes several sizes too small.
Reading the definitions of terms I was unfamiliar with was much appreciated.
The notes at the end sharing how the book was written were fascinating. So loved the way each author wrote chapters from a particular perspective. What a challenge to determine which chapter was written by the other author. Also loved the backwards movement. With each came revelations that posed new questions.
So very many passages spoke so loudly and were so very powerful, especially in the notes at the end. I feel compelled to share this particular quote from Jodi Picoult that everyone needs to hear.
“What would I like you to take away from this novel? Absolutely nothing. I’d like you to give - a thought, a chance, a damn. Like gender, difference is a construct. We are all flawed complicated, scarred dreamers; we have more in common with each other than we don’t. Sometimes making the world a better place just involves creating space for the people who are already in it.”
My deep appreciation to Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan for opening my eyes, Random House for having the wisdom to publish this eye opening read, and NetGalley for allowing readers to become informed in a most compelling way. I had the extreme pleasure of reading an arc of this book, being published tomorrow, on October 4th. In my humble opinion, this book should be read by everyone on this planet so we could all work together to make this world a better place.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the wonderful new novel by a long-time favorite, Jodi Picoult, and Jennifer Finney Boylan - 5 stars!

Olivia was living the perfect life in Boston, married to a heart surgeon, with young son Asher. But looks are deceiving. When Olivia fled back to her hometown of Adams, New Hampshire, with Asher, she wanted only to keep him safe. There, she took over her father's beekeeping business. Years later, Ava and her daughter, Lily, arrive in Adams, escaping from an equally bad situation and looking for a fresh start. Teenagers Asher and Lily meet and fall in love. All is well until Olivia receives a call from Asher, who is in jail, telling her that he thinks Lily is dead.

Wow - this is Jodi Picoult at her finest. A book that makes you feel and think and learn, looking at sides of issues that you didn't before - including beekeeping! The story is told from both Olivia and Lily's perspectives, and in Lily's case, from a reverse timeline. In these authors' capable hands, it's not hard to keep up with and lets the suspense and tension build. No spoilers from me so I'll keep my review brief. But this is a must read - and extra points for including the recipes mentioned in the book!

This is one of the most important books I've read this year. Jodi Picoult has always written thought provoking, mind opening books with well developed characters but I think this is one of her best. There's not much I can say without spoiling the plot. It is a slow build, I learned more about beekeeping than I ever wanted to, but stick with it for the unforeseen twist the novel takes at midway point and then it moves like lightning. I read this straight through in a day. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced reader copy.

Jodi Picoult is the queen of thought-provoking novels with a twist (or three) and this one didn't disappoint! I strongly recommend avoiding reading too many reviews of this one (this review excluded - LOL) as it is difficult to discuss without spoiling. I loved the collaboration with Jennifer Finney Boylan and found their styles to be seamless.

Thank you to Random House Publishing/Ballantine Books and #NetGalley for allowing me to read a pre-release of this novel. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

Ughhhh. I’m so conflicted. I don’t quite understand the side plot of the honey and bees. It felt like a forced connection.
I liked the “whodunnit” aspect with the trial and Lily and Asher but the entire time you’re waiting for the twist and it doesn’t come till the last chapter?! For such a long book, I was a bit disappointed.

Olivia is a beekeeper and all around animal, garden, and nature extraordinaire. She has roots in their town, living in what was once her family’s home. Now it’s just Olivia and Asher.

Asher has been dating a new girl named Lily. Olivia is a little jealous of the lost attention but she knows her boy is growing up and she likes Lily. Lily is smart, strong and eager to learn.

Lily and Asher get into a squabble over a “gift” that she didn’t appreciate with good reason and she was just sick over it and their fight. She needed some time to decompress but she probably would have forgiven Asher.

She never got the chance because she was found tragically dead in her home while she was alone. At first it just seems like a terrible accident but with Asher being the one to find her, things aren’t looking great for him.

Why do they suspect Asher or foul play at all? Is Asher capable of something like that? How far can a family be pushed to the limits and is it right to keep the faith when every single thing is going wrong?

There are a lot of things at play here, questions and emotions, right and wrong, innocent or guilty, and although it’s my first by Boylan, I’m used to this kind of beauty and detail from Picoult. Thank you to the publisher, authors and NetGalley for the chance to read and review! I can’t wait to hear the audio version!

Mad Honey may be the best book I've read n 2022. It is honest and raw and compelling. My initial interest in picking Mad Honey was because of the murder mystery aspect, but what I got from reading it was so much more. On the surface, Mad Honey is about a girl named Lily who moves with her forest ranger mother (Ava) to New Hampshire for a fresh start for both of them. At her new high school, Lily meets a boy named Asher. He is sweet and lovely and one of the most popular boys in school. Asher also happens to have a very cool mother, Olivia, who has moved back to NH to take over her father's beekeeping business. Lily and Asher fall madly in love as only teenagers can do. They are inseparable, but as the novel begins, they are on the outs though neither mother knows why.

One day Olivia receives a phone call telling her that Lily is dead, and Asher was discovered holding her body. With her world crashing around her, Olivia calls her brother, Jordan, who is a hot-shot lawyer. Much of the book revolves around the accusation of Asher as a murderer and the subsequent trial.

So the murder angle was what caught my attention, but this novel is also a nuanced look at gender identity and sexuality. I always seem to read books that follow a theme -- that is, the murder of someone in a group of friends who go away together or suspense novels that take place in remote, snowy areas, etc. I recently read a book called The Death of Vivek Oji about a Nigerian boy who identifies as female. My complaint about that book was that I never had a feel for Vivek. It could have been about a boy in Iowa or a girl in Georgia. It was not a character-driven novel that made me feel. And then I read Mad Honey, and it was everything I was looking for. Mad Honey digs deep into the difference between sex and gender and asks the question "What makes a woman a woman?". During the trial, the defense calls a witness to the stand who is a surgeon specializing in transgender health. She states that "There's a difference between sex and gender. A person's sex is the body's biology -- what's between your legs and in your DNA. A person's gender refers to what's between your ears. Your own psychological sense of self -- who you know yourself to be -- is called your gender identify. If your gender identity doesn't dovetail with your biological sex, you are transgender." She goes on to compare it to "handedness," which was a brilliant analogy. There are leftys and rightys and those who are ambidextrous. And in the past, teachers tried to break leftys into being right-handed!!

In any event I was entertained by the mystery while also being educated about gender and sexuality. The writing was a fabulous collaboration between authors Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. At no point did I feel like I was reading two different authors; they gelled seamlessly.

My thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me an eGalley of Mad Honey. I cannot recommend it more highly. Ten stars!!