Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Groups/Ballatine Books for this Advanced Reader Copy, in exchange for my honest review.

I went into this book blind as a do with all books. This was a beautiful, yet tragic story. I wasn’t sure who to believe or trust. I really enjoyed learning about bees, and learning about Lily, and who she was. I got so attached to her character and lost it at the end knowing what I did. The story was a bit slow for me, and it did take me a bit longer to read, but I really enjoyed it. I didn’t see the twist coming, which I really did appreciate! I love how the story came together and how the authors explained how they wrote the book together. I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s a great story!

(2.5 stars, rounded down)

Sadly, I did not enjoy Mad Honey as much as I anticipated.
I have read a few books by Jodi Picoult; from the beginning, I felt like I had read this before, just with different characters and a different sub-plot theme (bees, in this case).
I felt like this book could have been half its size. While I enjoyed the alternating timelines between the female characters, the background stories became so mundane and repetitive that I started skimming large portions.
I also felt that the multiple hot-button topics that were both largely (transgender issues, physical abuse) and not as largely (abortion, same sex marriage, bullying) became too preachy and less informative/evocative. It almost felt like a mad dash to include so many modern topics that few were thought out and explored fully.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had no idea that it included a trans character when I requested it from NetGalley. Because of all the LGBT hate in the US right now I was glad a popular author has tackled this subject.. A little heavy on the education aspect of trans. But that was fine. A great story and well worth reading. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the book. All opinions are my own.

This book uniquely co-authored by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is captivating from start to finish. The dual POVs kept you engaged and always wanting to get back to the other POV every time it switched because both women’s stories were pertinent. The themes of womanhood, the secrets we keep and those we give up, loss and grief, etc. were all woven in seamlessly. I found the trial to be interesting as well but not nearly as interesting as the characters and how dynamic they all were. I disagree with one of the choices made near the end of the novel but that is just my interpretation of the character. I’m hesitant to give any more of my full thoughts because I think it’s best to go into this book with no knowledge of what it’s about and you will be pleasantly surprised. You will also learn a lot about bees and honey along the way!

Be sure to pick up Mad Honey this October and special thanks to Netgalley, the authors and Ballantine books for the special early review copy.

Jodi Picoult does it again. What a beautiful story of what you choose to let people see and what they choose to see. The story of a mother, Olivia, who finds herself living in her home town after her husband revealed a darker side. Lily finds herself as the new girl in town starting over again after leaving secrets behind. When Olivia's son Asher becomes involved with Lily, she begins to think that life can be good again.

When Lily ends up dead, Olivia's life is upended after Asher becomes the number one suspect. Olivia sees flashes of her former life in Asher but is that who he really is?

Beautiful love story of why we keep secrets and the risks we take when we live our true lives.

Mad Honey is Jodi Picoult's 29th novel. I am happy to admit that I've read and enjoyed every one of them - some more than others. Mad Honey has taken a place in my top 5 books by her - along with Nineteen Minutes and Small Great Things. The co-author of Mad Honey is Jennifer Finney Boylan. She's a new author for me and I plan to check out her previous 15 books. This is a book that you don't want to miss. The authors touch on some hot topics in today's society and look at them clearly and without prejudice while creating characters who are very real and believable.

-Olivia and her son Asher moved from their successful life in Boston to the small home town that she grew up. They live in her father's house and she is continuing his bee keeping business. She and Asher live a quiet life after leaving her abusive husband.

-Ava and her daughter Lily have moved to this new town for Lily to finish her last year of school and to start over where no one knows about their past.

Asher and Lily meet in school and fall in love with each other. Both mothers are happy but worried about this relationship. Olivia worries that her son may have the same abusive tendencies that his dad had and Ava is desperate to keep Lily's secrets. (Note - this is a spoiler free review so I won't go into any discussion of Lily and her past.)

One day Olivia gets a call that Lily has been murdered and that her son is being questioned by the police. She knows in her heart that he's innocent but she keeps being remembering her husband's temper and worries that Asher has the same temper. The big questions that are resolved by the end are whether Asher killed Lily and what is the secret that she's hiding. The suspense in this book will keep you rapidly turning pages but along with the suspense, there is a beautiful love story and an exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take to become the person we want to be.


Along with a wonderful story there is a lot of information about bee-keeping. Not only are there interesting facts about bees but the authors manage to tie their well done research to connect with a character or situation

I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it. I wanted to find out how it ended and find out what happened to all of my favorite characters. When this book is published on October 4, you need to have your calendar cleared and tissue available. You're in for a fantastic read by phenomenal authors with a story line and characters that you'll be thinking about long after the last page is read.

I received an ARC of this novel from Ballantine Books via Netgalley in exchange for my review. I have read and loved Jodi Picoult’s books for years so I was excited to read this book with co-author Jennifer Finley Boylan. The authors have such a creative way telling a complicated story with characters that all bring their complete backgrounds of experiences and beliefs to a seemingly cut and dry situation. The authors can then pick a plot line and through the eyes of the characters you can view the story in many different ways-even changing your mind about characters as the story goes on. Of course, if you have read Jodi Picoult books before, then you know, there is always a twist, coming. I especially loved how the topic of bees is woven into the theme of this novel. I can’t say anything more specific about this story without spoiling it, so suffice it to say that this is a well written, must read.

Mad Honey is Jodi Picoult's latest novel and this one is written in partnership with Jennifer Finney Boylan. I immediately got drawn into the world of Olivia, Asher, and Lily. One of Picoult's great gifts is her ability to take topical subjects and help you see the humans behind those topics as well as highlighting how there are always complexities when humans are involved. The story is shown through Lily's eyes before her death and Olivia's eyes after Lily's death. The authors do a wonderful job of helping you feel what each character is going through. I hesitate to share too much more because you want to experience the story without knowing too much (much like the characters do). Don't miss the author's note AFTER you read the book. Highly recommend this book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A HUGE thank you to NetGalley for sending me the ARC of Mad Honey. I have been Picoult die hard fan for a very long time, and Mad Honey felt like CLASSIC Picoult. Complex, thought provoking characters and a plot with surprising twists along the way. I was initially concerned that I may not like Mad Honey as it was co-authored but Boylan only enhanced the story with her writing and perspective. A fabulous read!

Loved how Boylan and Picoult teamed up to write a novel and how it came about. (this can be found in the author's notes at the end). I devoured this novel. However, I did find the parts apart beekeeping a little "too much" and found myself skimming thru parts of it. Story would be better if 50% of the bee keeping information was removed. I did though LOVE the rest of the story and all the characters, this kept me plugging along and glad I did. It was worth it. Definitely a trend/topic that we all need to be educated on more. Don't want to give away the story here so sorry for being vague. Thank you #netgally for an advance copy of # MadHoney in exchange for an honest review.

Jodi Picoult does it again with this riveting story focusing on moral issues of gender and identity in the contemporary world. This novel is told from the perspective of two women, each with her own survival story hoping for new beginnings. Olivia McAfee escaped her physically abusive husband and returned to her home after inheriting her father’s beekeeping business to raise her son Asher. She is hoping to rebuild a peaceful and quiet life all the while battling the demons of her past abusive husband. Lily Campanello and her mother Ava, traveled across country and relocated in Adams, New Hampshire for Lily’s senior year of high school with the hopes of escaping the past and starting new. It is unclear what or whom Lily and her mother are running from, but their hidden truths slowly unravel as the book unfolds. Lily and Asher collide in typical high school form and a teenage romance is born, all until Lily winds up dead at the bottom of the stairs with Asher found over her covered in her blood. Did Asher kill Lily and if so, why? And did Olivia’s deepest fear come true, that her son inherited his father’s volatile personality?

This novel is a return to several of Ms. Picoult’s earlier works of a courtroom drama showcasing a legal trial with a moral issue interlaced throughout the case. This novel is thought-provoking, unconventional and forces the reader to confront issues of acceptance, identity, belonging, loyalty, and love. At its core, the novel focuses on insightful, challenging, and provocative themes stemming from physical and mental abuse, abortion, gender equality, interracial relationships, toxic relationships, depression, suicide, inequities in the legal system, violence, murder, mystery, gender, identity, love, the right to privacy, secrets, choices, self-expression, and resilience. Throughout the novel, readers are forced to look deep within themselves to address certain questions – how well you know anyone, including your children and how far will you go to protect the ones you love.

Once again, I am impressed with the level of research and depth that went into the writing of this novel, both as far as issues of transgender and bee keeping. The author did an excellent job of interweaving facts pertaining to the life cycle of bees and hives and the current drama and legal trial as it unfolded. The magical healing powers of honey were laced throughout the story, from the title of the novel to the chapter pages and finally at the end once the drama was concluded and the characters were left to recover from the aftermath. This novel not only challenges the reader but seeks to educate the reader on various topics. I walked away from this novel with a deeper knowledge and understanding of several of the subjects that were central to this novel.

This novel is told in alternating perspectives, Oliva in the present day and Lily in the past. I particularly enjoyed the split approach and how the author divulged a small bit of information about the past for the reader to consider as the next chapter returned to the present. I did find it slightly confusing how Lily told her story in reverse and often had to remember what the reader knew or did not know during each part of the story but, overall, it was an interesting presentation. Ms. Picoult’s use of prior characters from other novels was a nice touch, particularly with the return of Jordan McAfee as Asher’s uncle and attorney. Once again, Ms. Picoult made the main characters sympathetic and relatable, even when their actions are questionable which is one of her biggest strengths as a writer. She manages to humanize even the darkest of human behaviors and call into question the characters morals, emotions, and actions so that the reader can feel both empathy and dislike at the same time.

I immediately got excited when I saw a new novel from Jodi Picoult and this novel did not disappoint. It is captivating, emotional and challenges the reader’s thinking and beliefs. This is a novel that the reader will be thinking about long after he/she has turned the last page.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

I have always enjoyed Jodi Picoult's novels, which usually cause intense emotions when I am reading them. Her latest, Mad Honey - due out 10/4, was no exception. This novel switches between two characters' viewpoints: Olivia, a woman who moved back to her hometown to take over her father's bee-keeping business and escape her abusive husband, and Lily, a high school senior who moved to the same town to get a fresh start with her mother. Olivia's and Lily's lives intersect when Lily begins to date Asher, Olivia's teenage son. The relationship seems to be going well until Olivia receives a phone call to pick up Asher at the police station as he is being questioned for Lily's murder. As secrets are revealed, Olivia has to make some decisions and figure out just how far her maternal love will go in terms of Asher.

One aspect that I loved about this book was that Picoult co-wrote this book with Jennifer Finney Boylan. Picoult wrote Olivia's chapters, and Finney Boylan wrote Lily's chapters...all except one for each character. It is impossible to tell where the authors switched characters because there was no shift in personality or descriptions. The whole book blended together seamlessly, and I was shocked to read that much of the book had been written virtually during the pandemic.

Both Olivia and Lily were written beautifully. I found myself crying over things that Olivia feels and says when discussing her only child Asher. I found myself crying over Lily's struggles in life. Again...Picoult's books always make me FEEL, and I think that is one of the most special parts of books and reading in general.

One of the best books I’ve read this year! This is a brilliant book by two of my favorite writers. What a good and intense story this is about two families who live in a small town in New Hampshire. It is so absolutely refreshing to read a book that is totally sympathetic, educational, and compassionate to transgendered people. This book has it all, with lots of twists and turns. No spoilers. Read this book!

Both Olivia and Lily are used to starting over. Lily and her mom have just moved to the area for her final year of high school when she meets Olivia’s son Asher and the two immediately hit it off. Suddenly Olivia is receiving a phone call from Asher that Lily is dead and he is being questioned as a possible murderer. Olivia knows he is innocent, but deep down she wonders if he is more like his father than she ever knew.

While I have never read any of Jennifer’s work (that is going to change!) I have always loved Jodi Picoult. This reminded me of her earlier works like The Pact and Nineteen Minutes (and I believe there are some Easter eggs to both of those books in this one) but both of those books are favorites of mine. This book definitely threw some unexpected curveballs my way, but that tends to be Jodi’s move right? I absolutely loved it and if you are a fan of Jodi’s work you will too! I don’t want to give anything away so all I’ll say is you should preorder this one for sure!

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this advanced copy, I was a little skeptical about 2 authors telling one story but this was flawless storytelling, I love it when I enter a world I had no experience with and no exposure to . This was very eye opening and emotional at times for me.

This has to be the worst piece of fiction I have ever read. From the title to the subject and everything in between, it's terrible. I made absolutely no connection between the bees and trans people. Poorly written. Very much a LIBERAL piece of crap! Don't waste your time or money. I wouldn't recommend this to any library patron.

𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙅𝙤𝙙𝙞 𝙋𝙞𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙮 𝙅𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝘽𝙤𝙮𝙡𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚. 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙨 𝙎𝙊 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙!! 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙟𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩. 𝙊𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡. 𝘼𝙡𝙨𝙤, 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙨 𝘼 𝙇𝙊𝙏 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙄 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢. 𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙄𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙇𝙂𝘽𝙏 𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙨, 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙖, 𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣, 𝙨*𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙙𝙚, 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙥 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙟𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠.

I loved Mad Honey!!!!!! The controversial topics in this book in my opinion gave it excitement and a little risqué feeling. 4 stars from this reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Groups/Ballatine Books for this Advanced Reader Copy, in exchange for my honest review.

I have read a few other books by Jodi Picoult and have enjoyed them, so I knew that this would be worth reading, I had no real knowledge about this book, but I am so glad that I read it.

The story follows two women and is told in alternating timelines.
Olivia is the mother of Asher. A single mom who has built a simple life in a small town after escaping an abusive marriage. Liv is a beekeeper by trade. But her world comes crashing down with the death of Asher's girlfriend.

The second narrator is Lily, an 18-year-old high school student and Asher's girlfriend. Lily is new in town and madly in love with Asher. But her life is tragically cut short, and Asher is being accused.

The story alternates between Liv who is experiencing the arrest and prosecution of her son, who claims that he did not kill Lily. Liv has to take a look at her beliefs and her past. And the experience tests a mother's love.

Lily has a past and "secrets" of her own.

I will say that I liked the book and thought that I had it all figured out, but I was truly surprised (in a positive way) by the plot twist. And this fueled my need to finish the book more.

The collaboration between Picoult and Finney Boylan is beautiful. And I truly enjoyed reading the authors' notes at the end of the book. The unique perspective brought to this story is undeniably thought provoking. I found the book informative and eye-opening. Hopefully, it will open the minds of some readers.

I knew from the beginning that I was going to like the book, but I can honestly say that I actually loved it.

Mad Honey - Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

When her son Asher is 6 years old, Olivia leaves her abusive husband and returns to her childhood home. Twelve years later, Lily and her own mother, Ava, move to town after leaving their own toxic relationship with Lily’s father. Lily and Asher find solace in each other and carry on an intense relationship until Lily is found dead, literally in the arms of Asher. Asher swears he is innocent and Olivia fights to support him, while also fighting through her own trauma, as it triggers memories of her own marriage to Asher’s father.

The story is told in two ways: from Olivia’s standpoint post-Lily’s death and from Lily’s standpoint leading up to her death.

Spoiler free thoughts: I found myself sucked into this novel quickly and was on the edge of my seat trying to decide if I thought Asher was going to be found innocent or guilty and what I believed he really was. However….A couple of complaints that I am going to keep very vague so as not to spoil anything:
1 - The story took a lot of unexpected turns that took the story in a completely different direction than what I first expected- which I was okay with- but did kind of change the theme of the entire book. I never really connected with any of the characters (especially Olivia) and felt like the big twist was revealed and resolved way too smoothly.
And 2 - the final twist? I guessed early on and then hoped I would be wrong because it just was not satisfying.

Overall, I was glad I read this and learned a lot about beekeeping and other various topics that the book explored, but it also wasn’t my favorite and was a lot heavier than I expected.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5)

‼️Be sure to look up trigger warnings before you go into this one as it deals with a lot of heavy topics‼️

Thanks to @netgalley for my ARC of this one! ❤️