Thank you Ballantine & NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

OLD JODI IS BACK. And I absolutely love that her first co-author (not with her family) was a seamlessly written novel. This book covers some really deep and prevalent topics & it examines it from all points of view. The best part is, I loved the how they both mixed in the beekeeping knowledge with story that was happening alongside it. In true Jodi fashion this book was WELL researched & beautifully written.

Lily is found dead & all signs point to her boyfriend Asher who is fighting demons he never asked for. His mother, Olivia, has spent her whole life trying to protect Asher and now she might not be able to. And she may be questioning his innocence. I really, really enjoyed the dual POV chapters. I read the author note and was happy Jennifer wrote the voice of Lily but that it flowed perfectly with the voice of Olivia (Jodi's chapters).

The topic is going to be controversial for some people (which I can''t say what it is without spoilers). I suggest you go in blind. However, Jodi always finds a way to take a highly debated topic of our time and make it super personal and raw and real. I appreciate that about her writing style, even if I disagree with the topic itself, it forces you to open your mind. My only real cons were parts of the beekeeping description, though beautiful, dragged on. I also think the final wrap up ending of the book was a bit rushed, but the twist had me overlooking most of the cons.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This to me was back to OG Jodi. I got all The Pact, Sing You Home & Spark of Light feels mixed together. There's even a character from The Pact & Nineteen Minutes that makes an appearance. I highly suggest you go into this novel with an open mind. You will appreciate the honesty and deepness of the story if you keep it open. Jodi and Jennifer delivered an extremely powerful & beautiful story with all the court room, thriller drama a heart could ask for. AND IN TRUE JODI FASHION... THE TWIST IS WILD.

For the last few years, I have had an unreliable relationship with Jodi Picoult’s novels, sometimes loving her work, and other times trudging through trying to figure out just where and when the plot twists she is known for to land… only for it never to arrive. Mad Honey is a return to the complex emotions and compelling courtroom dramas we have come to expect from Picoult. The coauthoring with Jennifer Finney Boylan lends a unique and personal perspective to this love story that centers around a trans youth.

Picoult joined forces with Jennifer Finney Boylan to write this book. I had not heard of this other author previously. Book is written from different voices, filling in most gaps and coming together seamlessly. Make sure you read the Author’s Notes at the end of the book.

When you read a Jodi Picoult book, you expect a unexpected twist, usually something that really makes you think and can be controversial. This book is no different. I can’t delve into anything more without giving something away. I had such a different twist in my mind that I had to put the book down and absorb it. It was handled so beautifully, and honestly. Giving perspective from a whole different, at times heartbreaking side. Ending was as I expected, I mean could they have shocked me twice? Left me with a few questions, but not enough to disappoint me.

Characters were likeable and their turmoil was so realistic. All relationships, whether, young love, parent or friend, wererelatable. This book can read as a headline from today’s paper. I so appreciate the research that went into these subjects. I found both fascinating. Hopefully this book will open eyes and soften hearts.

Thanks to Ms. Picoult, Ms. Finney Boylan and Random House/Ballantine for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

The set up is Lily moves into town with her forest ranger mother and starts her senior year of school. She quickly hooks up with Asher who is raised by his single mom, a beekeeper. They both have really horrible fathers. Lily also becomes best friends with Maya who is also Asher's best friend. Asher and Lily love each other but after dating and being intimate for three months Asher finds Lily dead at the bottom of her stairs and is put on trial for first degree murder. Up until about half way I was reading a mystery but then there was a twist. I have to say I did see it coming and the ending sucked. This book was way too long. I felt like I was being lectured about beekeeping, fencing and gender identity issues. On top of that there was domestic violence and jumping back in forth in the chapters from Lily's point of view. I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Asher and Lily both had problems and they could have talked about them but they didn't. I didn't think Asher's mom, Olivia, was a strong person. She may have left her husband but she retreated back to the family home and beekeeping. I did think her brother Jordan was pretty cool.

I have read older Jodi Picoult and liked them but really didn't like the last two, especially Wish You Were Here. I thought I'd give this a try because there was a co-author but all that did was make a longer book. Although it was readable for the most part and they both write well I felt like it just made for a longer book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for providing me with a digital copy.

This book is going to be an amazing tool to educate a whole lot of women about gender identity issues. It makes me happy to know that people who wouldn't normally pick up a book about a transgender teen will read it simply because it is written by Jodi Picoult. The story is engaging while also being informative. The teen main characters make this a perfect (and appropriate) book for teen readers as well.

Boy and girl meet. Boy and girl fall in love. Girl ends up dead. It’s an age-old formula. And yet Jennifer Finney Boylan and Jodi Picoult breathe new life into the idea.

I’ve always been a fan of Picoult’s books, even if I can sometimes figure out “the big twist”. While I had basically figured out the ending, the twist in this one took me by surprise. It both came out of nowhere and still made perfect sense. I appreciated the depth it added to the already charged emotions.

I’ve seen others mention the inclusion of a variety of charged topics. There are charged topics for sure. For me, however, these topics were included just as seamlessly as “normal” topics would have been. And it’s one of the things I loved most about this book.

Beyond the content itself, the characters were so compelling. I found myself empathizing with everyone involved. I was emotionally invested throughout. And that’s always a mark of a great read for me.

My only gripe centers around the ending. I did feel cheated, in a sense. But I can’t pretend it didn’t feel realistic.

I certainly won’t be upset to see one (or more) of these characters in future books. Worth the read and worth the invested emotions.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for providing me with an arc of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is one of those books that readers will appreciate most if they go into it in the dark. Don’t read reviews like this one. Avoid spoilers. The less you know, the better.

I knew that Jodi Picoult was one of the authors, and that was enough for me. I would read anything she writes because she has the ability to develop complex characters and then throw them into a world of hurt, while tossing in some unexpected twists along the way. I knew too that it was about a high school student accused of killing his girlfriend. I wasn’t aware of any other books in which she’d collaborated with another writer, so I wondered what this latest novel would be like on account of that second voice.

As it turns out, Mad Honey works beautifully, and my ignorance was bliss indeed. Two story lines unfold throughout the novel, narrated by Asher’s mother Olivia and Lily, his girlfriend. A single parent who has moved back to the family farm and has expanded their beekeeping operation into a thriving business, Olivia feels like their life is on the right track. People around their small town know her for the honey and beeswax products she sells at the local farmers’ market. Asher is in love, and Olivia is genuinely fond of Lily, his girlfriend. The two of them seem well suited and appear to make each other genuinely happy. Which is why Olivia is stunned to learn that Lily has been found dead at her home and Asher is charged with her murder.

Olivia’s chapters move forward through time from Lily’s death and Asher’s arrest, through his incarceration, and his trial. Lily’s chapters turn back time, beginning with the day of her death and moving back through the months before. We learn her backstory, how she and her mother Ava came to live in the small New Hampshire town, and why Lily is capable of both giving and guarding her heart.

The one small point I’d quibble about is that in his trial, Asher is defended by his uncle, Olivia’s brother Jordan who is a high-powered attorney. Lawyers don’t normally represent relatives, particularly in high profile cases like this one. At minimum I’d expect a conversation to take place in which Olivia and Jordan hash this out. Instead Jordan just rolls in, prepared to represent Asher himself instead of referring him to another attorney. It doesn’t hurt the book too badly, but readers familiar with the legal profession will be a bit surprised.

The lyricism of Picoult’s writing about Olivia’s bees created a beautiful counterpoint to the painful story. I enjoyed learning about beekeeping culture, including traditions like informing the bees of a death in the family. I’d never heard of “mad honey” before, a substance that has been known to cause symptoms like dizziness, vomiting, convulsions, and more. And the book includes recipes for the honey-related treats Olivia makes, something I was grateful for after reading about these delicious foods.

I highly recommend Mad Honey and look forward to purchasing it for my library. I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! I could not put down this book that has twists, turns and is important for many reasons. Olivia left her abusive husband and returns to her family honey farm in New Hampshire with her son, Asher. Ava is also starting over in New Hampshire with her daughter Lily. There are secrets in Lily’s past, but at first we are given glimpses of the tight relationship developing between Asher and Lily. Not wanting to give away too much, suffice it to say I highly recommend this book and be prepared to keep reading. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

There is really so much to love about this. Jodi Picoult once again delivers a story with a lot of depth, touching on really important topics, and leaves you unsure of what is coming next the entire time. Thanks to @netgalley and Ballantine Books for the early copy! 
*
Olivia McAfee and her son Asher have returned to Olivia's hometown after she escapes from her husband who had revealed a dark side. In his senior year of high school, Asher falls in love with Lily, a new girl in town, and life seems perfect. Until one evening when Asher calls Olivia and says he thinks Lily is dead and both their lives turn upside down. 
*
This is told in alternating POVs - moving forward in time through Olivia, and backward through Lily, which allowed for a slow reveal of some secrets, and left the reader questioning what you think you know. I can't reveal too much without giving away some key twists, but it definitely raised the suspense for me and kept me hooked. 
*
I didn't give this 5 stars because there were some inconsistencies in the timeline, particularly as Lily's part of the story unfolds (which maybe will have been addressed in the final publication). And I didn't love the ending, although I understand it. 
*
I would still highly recommend this, I thought it did a really good job of laying out a range of different perspectives, and giving me things to think about with certain experiences. But check out the trigger warnings before you read!

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this novel. I’m usually a fan of Picoult’s work but this one definitely missed the mark for me. It read like a very preachy YA novel and was just so heavy handed with its message of acceptance.

This is the story of a high school relationship, between Lily- a newcomer to the small New Hampshire town where the novel is set, and Asher. The novel is told in the present by Olivia, Asher’s mother & in the past by Lily. The timeline is strange & sometimes confusing. Olivia is a beekeeper and many, many times we hear about the intricacies of beekeeping, which did not interest me in the slightest. It reminded me of The Book of Two Ways, where Picoult wrote extensively about ancient Egyptians. The bees lend absolutely nothing to the story & could’ve been left out altogether.

There are 2 “twists” in the book and the first one is well done and sets the tone for the rest of the novel but the second one is very obvious and I guessed it from miles away. If you enjoy YA fiction with a message you will enjoy this one, but it missed the mark for me.

This book has a slow burn, I wasn't so sure until I was at least halfway through. It reminded me a lot of another Picoult Book and I was worried with how it would be different. Once I was past a twist in the story it was suddenly on fire. I enjoyed the read and would recommend it to those who enjoy Picoult's style. I was not familiar with Jennifer Boylan before reading this but will be looking at some of her other books now.

Poignant and suspenseful, Mad Honey*, by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boyle asks readers to imagine their prejudices if they discovered family secrets. In this novel, the co-authors craft a narrative with two powerful character voices. The first is Olivia’s, an apiarist, who escapes an abusive marriage by moving to a small town to keep her son, Asher, safe. Years later, Asher is accused of his girlfriend’s murder, and Olivia must uncover secrets in her community to defend her son. The second point of view is Lily’s, the murdered girlfriend.
I loved the multiple voices and how the authors worked together to give perspectives of Olivia’s life and then Lily’s experiences. The gap between who people want us to be and who we truly are plays an important part in our understanding of Lily as well.
I loved the details about beekeeping and the inclusion of honey recipes at the end. The title Mad Honey refers to the practice of eating honey from a certain type of rhododendron that can cause hallucinations and even death. I think the title also describes the madness of love and how overwhelming emotions can possess your soul.
Mad Honey is truly one of the most beautiful, captivating, and empathetic novels about families and relationships I’ve ever read.

Jodi Picoult's writing is almost lyrical. Her storytelling quality is top notch. As in previous novels, Picoult doesn't shy away from hard topics and writes with clarity about each of them. In Mad Honey, the topics of marital abuse, gaslighting, abortion, bigotry, and suicide are all covered. They are timely to the plot and thought provoking to the reader. It should be noted that Picoult co-wrote this novel with Jennifer Finney Boylan, and I honestly can not tell where one authors writing starts and the other's ends. A true sign of a good collaboration!

Asher and Lily are in a high school relationship filled with the regular ups and downs of a hormonal and heart provoking journey towards and away from each other. When Lily is found dead, and Asher is the primary suspect in the homicide, the drama gets turned up x10. Both Lily and Asher's mothers are raising their only children by themselves and the strength of each woman is put to the test.

Over all, Mad Honey reads more like an original Jodi Picoult book, than some of her most recent releases. A good note for those who have been with her since her first novel. Mad Honey hits the bookshelves on October 4th.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a copy of this novel.

While Mad Honey is a longer book, I read it almost non-stop over two days and didn’t find it slow at all. I have seen it mentioned that this is a return to Jodi Picoult’s earlier book style, and while it was in that it featured a court case and brought back a defense attorney from her earlier books, it did address social issues, as her more recent books (or maybe all of her books) have done. The book is told from two viewpoints – Olivia, a beekeeper who was in an abusive relationship previously, and Lily, who is new in town and has many secrets. You are made to question whether Asher has an explosive temper like his father and there was something that he did that I thought was quite awful and it was only glossed over! Like in many Picoult books there is a reveal in the middle which changes what you understand about the story. I had been accidentally spoiled on the reveal and I’m not sure if it would have effected me differently if I hadn’t known! The second half of the book was very interesting and contains much to discuss. I also appreciated that the co-author of this book had a unique viewpoint to contribute and I think it was smart of the two to write it together.

Mad Honey is a suspenseful novel with a very unforgettable storyline. Dealing with timely subjects, the reader is immersed in a world of families living through life’s daily problems; past and present. This co-written novel explores relationships and the ability to balance change, acceptance, unconditional love, in the midst of a life. Reminded me of this quote, Words are like bees – some create honey, and others leave a sting.(unknown)

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan was an emotional and suspenseful story. I have loved reading Jodi Picoult’s books for years, but Jennifer is a new to me author. Olivia and her son Ash move back to her hometown for a fresh start. Lily and her mom are starting over. When Ash and Lily meet and start dating, they seem to be good together and everyone is happy. Then one day Lily is dead and Ash is accused of her death. What happened? Olivia loves her son and does not want to believe he could do this, but is he following in his father’s step? I was at the edge of my seat as we start discovering what happened. I was captivated from the start and could not stop reading.

Happy reading!

I’m going to preface this review with the fact I’ve always been a Jodi Picoult fan. This book however didn’t seem like it was even written by her. It was very unpolished and monotonous. The only good part was the bee keeping descriptions. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Corina Diaz at Random House-Ballantine, and Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan for a gifted copy of this book!**

"The secret weapon of mad honey, of course, is that you expect it to be sweet, not deadly. You're deliberately attracted to it. By the time it messes with your head, with your heart, it's too late."

Stirring, emotional, thoughtful, and BEAUTIFULLY penned! EASILY one of my top reads of 2022!

Olivia has decided to start over...in her 40's. A tumultuous relationship with her husband, an attractive and 'well-respected' doctor, turned dangerous, and she made the difficult choice to take her son Asher away from the toxic situation and move back to her quiet New Hampshire hometown. She is even able to fall back into her father's business, beekeeping, and life settles into a comfortable rhythm.

At Asher's school, a new student named Lily is looking for a fresh start too. When she meets Asher, the two form an instant bond, and young love quickly blossoms. Lily is vibrant, clever, and a talented cellist...but there is more to her life and her story than she has shared with most. After all of the strife from her past, Lily is hopeful that life is finally moving in a positive direction.

UNTIL Lily is found dead...at the bottom of the stairs of her home.

...and Asher is the one who finds her.

Now some questionable text messages point directly to Asher...and he is accused of MURDER. Has Asher inherited his father's temper? What could have happened to interrupt this cosmic connection between two young loves? Can Olivia's brother Jordan, McAfee, an attorney, clear Asher's name...or is he ACTUALLY guilty?

There are four things I can ALWAYS count on when I pick up a book from Jodi Picoult:

1) She has done her research. There are two main topics in this book (one revolves around bees, the other is tied to the twist in the book, so I won't discuss it here) but WOW. The attention to detail is simply stunning, every time.

2) Her characters will grab me and hold on tight! Her writing is so effortless, so honest, and so REAL. Nobody ever feels contrived in her books.

3) My heart will be torn into pieces. Potentially MULTIPLE times.

and most importantly

4) The twist? Will KNOCK MY SOCKS OFF!

Mad Honey captured everything I love about Picoult and reminded me just HOW talented she truly is as a writer. After reading, I was stunned to look back and find out this book was so long (!)....THAT'S how good it is. I am very guilty of looking down at % on my Kindle, checking how long I have left in a chapter etc., but with this book, the only time I found myself doing that was to see if I'd have time to get through just a LITTLE bit more!

I also applaud, and will continue to applaud, Picoult's unabashed dedication to writing thought-provoking, topical material that is also compelling fiction in and of itself. I don't know any author out there who can handle such myriad difficult topics with ease, but no matter her focus, she consistently delivers. I also think her discussions of an abusive partner were FAR and above another book of hers I've read handling the same subject, Picture Perfect, so that was another huge plus and shows that in 20+ years, she only continues to get better!

I was dying to know what was going on with Asher and Lily at ALL times, and the narrative bops back and forth between the past (Asher and Lily's relationship and Lily's past, prior to moving to NH) and present (the trial and its aftermath) and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the verdict. I didn't know this was going to have a legal slant to it, but it just helped to drive the narrative even more. Although the timeline could have been a little clearer, I was able to follow it pretty well for the most part. While the beekeeping portions got a bit wordy at times, I have to admit I learned SO much about honey (and was thinking of Jodi and Jennifer last night when I made a cup of tea!)

This was my first experience reading anything authored or co-authored by Jennifer Finney Boylan, but the work between these two authors was seamless. The authors referenced in their end notes about swapping back and forth who wrote which character and jokes that even THEY would have trouble distinguishing each other's writing by story's end! If this is any indication of Finney Boylan's writing overall, I am a new fan of hers as well as Picoult!

Mad Honey is a powerful and emotional tale of secrets and truth, bravery and honesty, and above all, finding the inner strength to live life FULLY, no matter how great the risk, and having faith in the reward.

As one character observes, "Everybody is always still trying to learn, day after painful day, how to be themselves."

"I can't wait."

4.5 stars, rounded up

4.5 stars rounded up

Mad Honey is a compulsively readable novel by two of my favorite authors, Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. It’s about two single moms in small-town Adams, New Hampshire, and their high school-age kids. Olivia is a beekeeper and entrepreneur. Her son Asher is the school’s hockey team captain and an artist. Ava is a forest ranger researching lynx. Her daughter Lily is a cellist and fencer.

Being the new kid in town isn’t unique for Lily since she and Ava have moved a couple of times in the last few years. Lily and Asher meet through friends and soon start dating. It’s not a spoiler to say that Lily dies unexpectedly—it’s in the publisher blurb. The tale of Mad Honey is what happens when Asher is accused of killing her. Picoult and Finney Boylan spin a compelling yarn with well-formed characters and topics tied to real-life issues.

Finney Boylan and Picoult use two voices to tell the story, Olivia’s and Lily’s. Everything we learn about Asher and Ava is through their eyes. The authors also move the timeline back and forth, which pulls the curtain back slowly. The suspense is worth it. Their conclusion is a satisfying resolution of a complex situation.

My conclusions
A central theme of Mad Honey is reinvention. Olivia grew up as a small-town kid but married an accomplished Boston surgeon. She returns to her hometown to heal from unexpected troubles when the marriage goes sour. As Olivia copes with Asher’s situation, we learn more about her life and her fears for her son. Picoult also teaches readers about Olivia’s beekeeping career. Bee-related analogies abound here since hives are much like small towns and high schools.

While she is younger than Olivia, Lily’s no stranger to reinvention. She and Ava also flee a complicated marital situation. But her story is more profound than Olivia’s and just as dark. Her tragic end is heartbreaking, especially because she seems to find true love with Asher.

Picoult and Finney Boylan explore relationships and parenting styles along with identities. There’s plenty of food for thought woven through the suspenseful plot. They seamlessly blend their writing styles. I was so involved with the story that I rarely thought about who wrote what. Still, Lily’s story deserves Finney Boylan’s perspective and wisdom.

Overall, Mad Honey is just what I want in a novel. It delivers insights into relationships, personalities, and life experiences with a healthy dose of suspense. Brava to both authors!

Acknowledgments
Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books, and the authors for a digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for this honest review. The expected publication date for this book is Tuesday, October 4, 2022.

Jodi Picoult is often on the cutting edge, writing about topics that are in the news, often controversial. This first half of the novel is a classic who-Done-it and courtroom drama. Then the authors throw in a curve ball I never saw coming and we see the next part of the story unfold in a new light. Intense book.