ARC BOOK REVIEW

Mad Honey
by Jodi Picoult and Jenny Finney Boylan

Publishing Date 10/4/2022

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up to 5!

Olivia and Lily both know what its like to  start over.
Olivia is divorced, living in her childhood home,  raising her teenage son Asher and taking care of her late fathers honey bee business.
Lily is the new girl at school....again. She seems to have trouble  fitting in wherever she goes.  But she feels this new town is the fresh start she needs.

Lily and Asher meet at school and begin dating. Lily feels accepted and appreciated by Asher and this is something she has always struggled with.   As Asher and Lily grow closer,  Olivia can see that her son has fallen for Lily. (In a good way!)   But everything changes when Olivia gets a phone call from Asher-Lily is dead, and he is at the police station being questioned.

Olivia instantly believes this is a GIANT misunderstanding. IF Lily is dead, Asher obviously didn't do it....but she's always been concerned that Asher would inherit  his fathers abusive tendencies and anger issues.

As the case against Asher evolves, we quickly learn Asher and Lily were both keeping secrets....


REVIEW:
Wow. This is hard review to make because there is a pretty LARGE twist that takes over the entire book around 40%( I think thats where it was, don't quote me exactly)  I do not want to give any spoilers so I will dodge around the BIG reveal that marjority of the story unfolds around. And I didn't see it coming..AT ALL.

I will admit, this is my first Jodi Picoult book and MAN. It was good. It was a JOURNEY. The POV and timeline change each chapter so we learn about the story from Lilly and Olivia's point of views.

It was really fantasitic. It was suspensful- I was shocked, I was educated. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I even cried at numerous places.

There are several trigger warnings and if you are concerned, you can ask me!

I'm so thankful I was given the chance to read this arc. Add it to your fall tbr list! Ypu won't regret it!!

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for the chance to read this beautiful story!

Wow! There are not enough words to describe my love for this book. I have been a fan of Jodi Picoult's books for nearly 20 years. She is an author that I automatically pre-order the book as soon as I see a new one announced. With that said, I always have extremely high expectations. I always enjoy them, but this one far exceeded any expectation. The characters were raw and I felt for each one. After finishing the book, I just had to sit there for a minute, in complete awe. This is by far one of her top 5 best books that she has ever written. I feel honored to have gotten an early edition.

WOW! Jodi Picoult has done it again. She brought a timely issue to Mad Honey and taught me a lesson or 2.
This story centered around a high school couple who seem to have it all. Both live with their mothers (fathers for reasons that I won't divulge are absent), who have fulfilling careers in a small town in New Hampshire.
Asher is the captain of the hockey team, a well rounded athlete, helpful and considerate, well liked by all.
Lily is new to Adams, but readily accepted into the high school and is befriended by Maya, a girl who Asher has known since they were 6 yrs old, The girls become best friends and, of course, Asher enters into the relationship.
In typical Jodi Picoult fashion, she sets up the school, the people in Adams, and all the main players. It really feels that these teenagers are in love. However, something that Asher does leads Lily to stop communicating with him and Maya (as a go between) tries to get them to reconcile. Neither one budges though, and Asher in his frustration, goes over to Lily's, finds her front door ajar, opens it and sees her at the bottom of the stairs apparently having fallen.
Believe it or not, Jodi Picoult brought honeybees into the story, providing insight and information into their behavior and relating it to the events of the story. I learned much more than I ever thought I needed to know about bees, but appreciate the depth that it gave to the story. She also provided some recipes with honey at the back of the book.
Her co-author wrote the parts about Lily and Jodi wrote about Asher. They wrote this book through Zoom, based on a dream that Jennifer had and instagrammed it.
This is a book that everyone should read - therefore the 5* rating. In my opinion, this was a thoroughly researched, with well developed characters, and education about a timely issue which I was in the dark about.

Thanks to Net Galley for the e-ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I have loved Jodi Picoult since I read Nineteen Minutes. Her books are always thoughtfully researched with lots of new and interesting information on nature and current events. The way she weaves the nature element into current events is amazing and captivating.

Mad Honey is a story about starting over. Olivia McAfee and her son Asher have moved back to her hometown in New Hampshire to start over. Asher meets Lily Campanello and the two quickly become more than friends. But then one day Lily is dead and Asher is being blamed. A story of suspense, starting over and unforgettable love make this a riveting novel.

Overall I enjoyed Mad Honey. The information about bees and honey was an interesting vein throughout the story. Since the copy I read was electronic I did find it a little bit disorienting that each chapter flipped back and forth between the past and present. It was a little difficult to keep track of the timeline and in a hard copy book I could easily flip back and forth. Minor nit-pick. The story was compelling and the twist near the middle caused me to do a double take. Did not see that coming but that's the fun of Jodi Picoult novels.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Jodi, current events and/or legal thrillers.

I haven't read much Jodi Picoult but what I have read, I have loved. Thankfully, this book was no different. It was such a pageturner for me. I read it in 2 sittings(I had to pick my husband up because his car broke down). I'm always surprised because I think her books are one thing but they end up being something else and that's a good something else. Even if you aren't an adult contemporary lover, I'm sure you would still enjoy these just as I do. Look out for this book coming October 4th!

I really enjoyed this book! The plot line kept me engaged throughout, and the emotions felt very real. It did at times feel like the authors were trying to cram a lot of different topics into one book. But I flew through it and would highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of Mad Honey from NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Two words: Jodi Picoult, which means two more: read it.

This is another well researched and well written novel that kept me guessing. I love reading anything by this author! This one stands out however because of the gender identity crisis with honeybee lifestyle woven throughout the lives of the characters.

Do you every truly know someone? Is the person you show the world who you really are? Can the truth change? How is gender decided. All great questions that move this story forward all while giving us lessons on bee keeping.

This book alone provides so much factual detail that you almost feel you are in a museum absorbing as much detail as possible and not in a bad way. As Lily provides detailed information, a reader may question if in providing facts, she didn't want to face hers. Olivia will do whatever it takes to protect Asher as evidenced by her leaving an abusive relationship. What is sad is that in becoming so.sheltered and surrounding herself only with the bees, is that she truly is alone. Asher has a big heart but he doesn't have his fathers genes as well. The murder trial and resulting conclusions permeate the book especially due to the intertwined loves of all characters. Maya certainly proved to be a shocking character. I would certainly read this book again as it gives a great depiction of character development and how truly things aren't what they seem.

I absolutely loved this book. Jodi & Jennifer did an amazing job with the characters. There was a twist I didn't see coming but it was so good. I highly recommend this book. We need more stories like this.

Olivia is a single mom raising teenager, Asher, a hockey player who is destined for great things. One day, however, Olivia gets a call that turns her world upside down—Asher has been arrested for the murder of his girlfriend. Olivia must wrestle with the idea that her son may be hiding terrible secrets from her.
This book had me in its grip from the first page. It feels like old-school Picoult (reminded me of the atmosphere of books such as Nineteen Minutes and The Pact). I loved the a-ha moments and the twists. I had not heard of Boylan before I heard she would be writing this one with Picoult, and I was a bit worried because I wasn’t sure if the book would flow as it would with just one author, but I found I had nothing to worry about. Both authors melded their writing style into one beautifully, and I could not stop sneaking time to read it. The story was beautiful and I loved all the new information that was sprinkled all throughout. This book has found itself as one of my favorite Picoult books, and has earned Boylan a new reader!
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Great collaboration between Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan! Mad Honey is the story of young love and secrets kept. After Lily is found dead in her home by her boyfriend Asher, he is arrested for her murder. While the months leading up to the tragedy are told by Lily, the months after are narrated by Olivia, Asher’s mother. Thought provoking and relevant to the times, we are left to wonder how much we truly know about those we love. 4⭐️ Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

This is one of my favorite Jodi Picoult books and one of the best books I’ve read this year. As with most of Jodi’s books there is a timely social issue discussed in this book. The research was well-done ands thorough and I learned a lot.
Jodi wrote this book with another author and the transitions were seamless- they make a good team!
This is a strongly character-driven story and the main characters Olivia, Lily and Asher were realistic and likable. They all have painful pasts but find support with each other. This book is part romance, part mystery, and wholly enjoyable. I would highly recommend to teens, educators, and book clubs
This book was given to me by the publisher, authors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

How well do we really know anyone? That’s the big question that surfaces when high school senior, Lily Campanello is found dead at the bottom of the stairs in her home. All signs point to her boyfriend, Asher Fields. Both had secrets from their past and not sure how far to trust the other. As layers are revealed through alternating timelines of before the incident and after, more questions arise about their relationship. Bringing the past to the open allows forward movement that is unless, Asher is sentenced for Lily’s murder.

Wow I have so many mixed emotions about this book. On the one hand, I feel like this gave me a good glimpse into a very controversial topic. I really enjoyed all the courtroom scenes and I was genuinely invested in reading to find out the outcome. But the mixed up timeline of "before" and "after" started to annoy me. I found myself caring much more about the "after", and speed reading through the parts told in Lily's voice. I really enjoyed Olivia's perspective the best. Learning about honeybees was a fun bonus!

I was not sure how the duel author thing would work but I really loved Mad Honey! It had a lot of what I enjoy about Jodi Picoult's books but with the added benefit of another author who could write on a subject that Picoult doesn't (in her own words) have the knowledge of. I'm purposely being a bit vague, because I don't want to give any spoilers, as there are things about this story that aren't in the synopsis and I did not know were part of the story so it kind of felt like a "twist" and I don't want to ruin that for another reader. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

4.5 stars. This book had the feel of Picoult's earlier works which I devoured. I was thoroughly drawn into the story and the bee theme and facts were gloriously and seamlessly interwoven throughout. Highly recommend

Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors. Her books are always relevant and speak to current issues in so Irtysh. This book is no different. Asher and Lily are in love. Sadly Lily is killed and Asher is put on trial for her murder. In Jodi Picoult fashion ,this book makes me think hard about choices I would make if I were o e of the characters in the book. There are also unexpected twists in this book, that keep you guessing. I would highly recommend this book!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Jodi is back!!!!! Oh how I missed her courtroom trials. And we had a few surprises too. I read this while we were on vacation and could not put it down. I could definitely pick who wrote what chapter but it was a great read.

I loved ‘Wish you were Here’ the last book published by Jodi Picoult. Yet, it was so wonderful to see a new book by her that goes back to her roots of court room drama and to be reintroduced to Jordan, the defense lawyer from previous novels,
She never shies away from difficult topics and I love that she co-wrote this with a woman who knows first hand about transgender issues. The heartbreak of Lily’s early life, the bigotry and shameful behavior of teenagers was raw and sometimes painful to read, my heart ached for her.
It was interesting to have two awful male characters transposed against two females who felt more victim and survivor than conqueror and brave. It still felt that the men had won somehow. I suppose that could be because I have been lucky enough never to have to go through what Olivia and Lily had experienced. It made the story more realistic, everyone is shades of gray - weak and strong, close minded yet open hearted, judgmental but open to new thoughts and ideas. I suppose in real life we aim to survive trauma and learn to live with the consequences of that trauma. It’s not so common for people to overcome it with little aftermath. Does any of this even make sense?
What I am trying to say is that this book got me thinking about a whole host of things I haven’t considered before. I didn’t need all the bee stuff and would really like someone to edit Jodi Picoult just a bit more to remove all the research material she has gained to help produce realistic characters. The bee stuff moved this from a 5 Star to a 4. It was very distracting.
I am now going to purchase Jennifer Finney Boylans memoir.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.