When I finished this book, I felt I had learned about life from an entirely different perspective. The characters drew me in, and I began to care for them and their problems.

Mad Honey deals with very difficult subjects and handles it well. I was entertained by the story and needed to see how it ended. My only complaint was that it contained A LOT of social issues / controversial topics and it was a bit overwhelming for the plot.

I fell in love with Jodi Piccoult after reading My Sisters Keeper, and again with Small Great Things. Mad Honey rates up there as well. I love the complex layers of her storytelling that makes you feel and encourages you to think. if you're already a fan, then you know what I mean. if you're new to Jodi, then strap in for the ride and keep an open mind and heart.

Posting review a bit late due to some personal circumstances, but absolutely thrilled to have been granted this ARC. Jodi Picoult, you've done it again! Crazy depth to the characters and such an easy read to get into.

Another gem by Jodi Picoult. She always delivers with stories that tug on your heartstrings, leaving you feel a wealth of emotions.

Thank you to Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boykin, the publisher and netgalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

I am a big fan of Picoult. I have read about 10’ of her books and her previous release was not my favorite. I was SO pleased with Mad Honey. It felt like the old Picoult that we know and love. I hope the rest of her books continue to feel like this

This was a phenomenal and timely book relevant to today's current social events. Without giving away spoilers, reading own voices fiction (and non fiction) is exceptionally important and this story was told in such a loving, and compassionate way. I recommend this book to everyone.

Jodi Picoult does it again. Her books are always timely and focus on topics that need to be discussed and she always does it in a way that if you are open to it, it will educate you. So much to unpack with this book.

A classic Jodi Picoult formula that didn't pack as big of a punch as I was hoping but was still enjoyable nonetheless

This was my first Jodi Picoult book and it did not disappoint! This book is large in size but due to the shorter chapters, it was so easy to read! It also helped that the both Picoult and Boylan mastered the character developments. They showed all the good, the bad and the ugly of all the characters which helped relate to the characters more as reader. Overall, a really interesting read with an interesting twist at the end as well.

Ugh Jodi Picoult. All her reads just have a chokehold on my emotions and this was no different

Challenging topics, questioning self morals, and emotional grips sprinkled in with plot twists, this is a book everyone should read

This co-authored book was very well done, and both voices were distinct and interesting. Both characters were enjoyable to read, and the fun facts were too. Even if you don’t have beekeepers in your family, the information was presented well and sure to fascinate,
Jodi Picoult’s books often have readers questioning their own knowledge or beliefs, and deal with hot topics. Mad Honey is no exception. While some may not enjoy the mystery, or the twist, overall it was a thought-provoking and compelling read.

In "Mad Honey," Picoult and Boylan's collaborative brilliance not only weaves a captivating tale but also invites readers into a world where the boundaries between fiction and reality blur. The characters, each a brushstroke in a larger canvas, come to life with a vividness that sparks genuine emotional reactions. As the plot unfolds, the narrative's haunting beauty intertwines seamlessly with its educational undertones, creating a multidimensional experience that stays with you. “Mad Honey” transcends the ordinary, offering not just a story but a profound exploration of the human experience—a literary gem deserving of its five-star praise.

Anything Jodi writes keeps me on my toes wanting to finish as fast as I can..

Mad Honey had me feeling a wide range of emotions that changed as I learned and opened myself up more. I highly suggest as a book club book.

5 stars

Definitely not my favorite Picoult novel. The subject matter seemed to be well researched but clunky and not genuinely felt if that makes sense. I didn’t love the ending and while it was a page turner, it left me unsatisfied.

Wow I’m wiping away tears while I write this review. This is a must read , my emotions are all over and I will be adding this book to my top reads of the year.
After leaving her abusive marriage Olivia is single mother who makes her living as a Beekeeper after taking over her families home and honey business. Olivia and her teenage son Asher have a special relationship and they have been on their own for a long time now. Asher is a popular hockey player and high schooler.
Lily and her mother Ava move to the small town of Adams looking for a fresh start. Lily soon finds her self falling in love with Asher and they begin a relationship. Lily is hiding a secret. When Lily is found at the bottom of the steps and Asher is the one to find her, he finds himself being charged with her murder. He claims he’s innocent. We get multiple POV as the story unfolds from past and present as Asher is facing the charges of a Lily murder and Olivia is trying to hold it together and stay strong for Asher. I truly enjoyed how we meet each of these characters and we are shown beekeeping terms and procedures that go with each part of the story. This book covers so many important topics like, domestic violence, abuse, family secret, racism and another topic I don’t want to give away to much, but I watched an interview with the authors and they said they are proud of this story even if it gets banned! Five heart wrenching stars!

Mad Honey byJodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is challenging to review because the topic is part of the reveal of the book's mystery. This book will elicit strong emotions because of the topic, the age of the individuals, and the fact that the topic is not clear from the description. However, this review is of the characters, the story, and how it's told. The ending of the book is disappointing as the intensity and the education presented is lacking in that solution. It does, however, leave me thinking, and I still look forward what Jodi Picoult will tackle next.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/12/mad-honey.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

I don't think I have ever read a Jodi Picoult book that I didn't absolutely devour. Something about her writing style makes her books absolutely thrilling and un-put-down-able. This book was exhilarating as we are taken on a journey of mom Olivia learning about who her son is deep to his core through a murder accusation that rattles their whole town and family. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Ballantine Books for a copy of this book for an honest review.

I had high hopes for "Mad Honey" by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan, as I usually adore Jodi's novels. However, this particular book fell short, resulting in me taking a long time to finish. The novel starts out with captivating beekeeping descriptions and engaging character interactions and then takes a drastic turn when a teen is found dead and another is accused of the murder. It just felt like a confusing storyline to me, and it felt noticeable this book was coauthored.

I found the rest of the storyline hard to read, although I don't want to say more to avoid giving away big spoilers! There were a ton of social issues mixed into this book, and it felt like Jodi could have spent a lot of time on any one of them, but none of them were done in great depth or conveyed super well. The core plot felt muddied at times, and I didn't walk away feeling wowed as I usually do when reading Jodi's books. I'm excited to see what she writes next, but the twist in this one didn't work for me!

Mad Honey is a contemporary novel about a mother who is faced with her son’s arrest for his girlfriend’s murder.

Olivia McAfee is a beekeeper who is raising her teenage son Asher alone after fleeing an abusive marriage. When Asher falls for the new girl in town Olivia flashes back to her own traumatic marriage with Asher’s father the charming (but monstrous) Braden. But two months into their relationship Asher finds Lily dead at the bottom of her staircase and he immediately becomes the lone suspect. With alternating POV’s between Lily and Olivia we learn what came before and after Lily’s death and what shaped both of these strong women.

Mad Honey is a powerful novel about identity, family and love. The doomed character of Lily is so hard to let go of once the reader meets her and hears her story. And Olivia’s trauma after being married to Braden feels very authentic and realistic. It’s hard not to feel for her as she tries to hold on to her faith in Asher as the evidence mounts up. I found myself reaching for this book over and over trying to find out what will happen next.

I highly recommend this intelligent and emotional novel. Through the characters the reader learns so much about bee colonies, gender identity and the cycle of abuse. I highly recommend it to fiction readers everywhere.

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️