Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Honey by Isabel Banta. This is a debut novel about Amber’s journey from wanting to be a singer, to actually becoming a teen star. Apparently it’s not as glamorous as one would think, and It’s exhausting, stressful and mind numbing. Amber had a not great relationship with her mother, and her best friend was another teen pop star who was also her competition. The love of her life had to pretend to be in love with someone else. Maybe I’m too old for it, but there was just too much angst and complaining about how hard it is to be so successful. I finished it, but it was not a favorite for me. #honey #isabelbanta #advancedreadercopy #netgalley #bookstagram #teenpopstar #lovetoread #debutnovel #takeapagefrommybook

Kind of boring. If I didn’t listen to it on audio I probably wouldn’t have finished the book. Lots of potential but not enough execution.

I struggled with this one a bit. I really thought that time period would be very relatable. But I just was not able to connect with the main character at all. She wanted to become a pop star but really it didn't seem like she wanted to in my opinion. There was just a lot of disconnect. And the pages of song lyrics were a bit much for me. I did switch over to audio to see if I preferred it that way and it was a bit better. The narrator did such a good job with incorporating those. But overall this one just was not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon books for the opportunity to read and give my honest review.

I am really in awe and shock at the lack of governance in the music industry when young and naive people were lured into an unkind world by adults. Yearning for fame, some young pop singers let so-called sponsors and managers cross lines. These young people did not even had the mindfulness of forming their own values and principles when they're entering a heartless industry.

This book is another great insight into the dynamics of group singers, their relation to managers and sponsors, the competition and ultimately to long-lasting friendships that endure the hardships of the music industry.

I have read the memoir of Britney Spears that touched me very much. Honey was a great addition with fictionalized characters. But, eventually, I seem to have had enough of my travels to the past music industry of the 90´s. I am glad the celebrities are speaking the truth now creating awareness about the ugly facts.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I know some really enjoyed this, the concept was great, but it read too monotonously for me. Amber felt so one dimensional, despite all this happening for her. She’s removed from her own life. While we get this beautiful sort of ending and self discovery for her, it’s still flat.

Honey by Isabel Banta had the crossover feeling of a Britney Spears book and Daisy Jones & The Six vibes. I loved the cover - SO cute!

I felt like if I wasn't a Britney fan this wouldn't have been up my alley, but growing up watching her made me feel more invested in the story? I think otherwise...I wouldn’t particularly care for the characters. I think maybe more character development would make readers feel invested in their lives and drama other than at a very surface level.

But a very cute debut novel and I would read her work again!

Thank you to NetGalley, Celadon Books, and Isabel Banta for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I was hoping to love it, but this was OK. It geared a little YA-ish, which isn't bad, but I wasn't looking for that. Seemed to be loosely based on Britney Spears life and lots of 90's references, which was fun! Didn't love the characters, and I need more likable characters . Good debut, and I will be interested in more this author writes!

I enjoyed this but definitely think it had the potential to be a little richer in terms of depth. It felt a little bit of an echo of Daisy Jones and the Six and Britney’s “The Woman in Me” but without the spark and dynamic main character of Britney or Daisy. Amber was just so blah and I can’t quite figure out why because her backstory should have sparked grit or anger or something! Wes was also obnoxiously boring and when most of the book relies on the reader caring about a love triangle, the characters have to be able to carry it through. I would have liked to see a deeper discussion about the misogyny of the industry and the insane pressures but it was mostly just glossed over. The cover is eye catching and it is enjoyable enough but I think it could have been more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon books for the advance electronic copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a well written coming of age story. It reminded me a lot of On the Come Up by Angie Thomas which is also a wonderful coming of age story. So if you enjoyed that I would say you will likely enjoy this as well.

Thank you Celadon Books and NetGalley for the eARC of Honey. All opinions in this review are my own.

I was very excited about the concept of this one, but I feel like everything was very surface level. Maybe this is intentional because it is a comment on how pop stars are only know for their stage personas and not the person behind it, but I struggled to finish this one.

Really nice!! It reminded me a bit of Daisy Jones & The Six , but more Britney Spears. A very fun read.

This book was just so so for me. I really liked the fresh insight into pressures of celebrity culture on young women. I felt there wasn't enough meat to the plot and was ultimately bored, listening to it at a high speed.

This was an enjoyable read! I think the way it is marketed as a coming-of-age story of a young singer navigating the nineties and noughties’ pop music era was very accurate & fans of Daisy Jones & The Six (including myself) would be pleased. Learning about the song production process throughout was also interesting and it felt very well researched on the part of the author.
Though I enjoyed Amber’s character development, I felt as though some aspects of her storyline fell flat. Some of Amber’s interactions lacked depth and it made it hard to become invested in any other characters.

I loved this book so much(4.5). One of my favorites of the year. My only regret with it is I didn’t read it sooner. The cover is beautiful. I loved reading about the evolution of Gwen and Amber. Their friendship and their individual journeys as well. The girlhood of it all. I really enjoyed the authors writing style. Her use of descriptive language. The similes and metaphors. I liked that after it all Amber and Gwen got their happy endings. I’d definitely recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this with me.

I really loved this story. It was like living back in the 90's during the Britney and NSYNC days. I would read more by this author.

Enjoyed this story and am glad I read it. Reminds me of the 90s pop stars. 3/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc!

This was an enjoyable read with a predictable storyline. The characters, especially Honey, are likable, though not particularly complex. The plot moves at a steady pace, but it lacks the depth or emotional pull that would make it more memorable. It’s a good book if you’re looking for something easy and heartwarming, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impression. The writing is straightforward, though at times it feels a bit repetitive for me. Overall, a pleasant read but not one that stands out from the crowd. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a coming of age story by a debut author. Amber is chosen to become a singer in a girl band and ends up successfully going solo. The time period is the 90s. We see her career and personal life as they unfold. As I read this I kept thinking about Britney Spears memoir and what we learned from her about what life was like behind the scenes for young singers and actresses. It was disheartening to once again see how young girls and women are treated. I liked the fact that another female pop star who Amber was often pitted against was actually a confidant and friend as they navigated their careers and lives. I will be interested to see what this author writes next.

Honey is the coming-of-age story of Amber Young, a singer who is scouted at a young age to join a girl group called Cloud9. It is the 90s, the era of girl pop stars and boy bands. We follow Amber's rocky childhood, her ups and downs, her relationships, her meteoric rise to stardom and her journey to self-valuation and ownership of her voice and her talent.
At many times heart wrenching, Honey addresses the objectification and manipulation of women and girls by the media, the double standard, tabloid lies, misogyny, power dynamics, and male control of the music industry. There is a nostalgic vibe as Amber's life is set against the events of the late 90s/early 2000s, which resonate with many of us.
I loved Amber's friendship with fellow pop-star Gwen and how they supported each other even when the media tried to tear them apart. I would have liked more time with Amber in her forties, more than just a Wikipedia article at the end. Honey is a well written, addictive and immersive music story.
Thank you to Celadon Books for an ARC to review.

this book was just ok. It was hard for me to get through and it fell pretty flat for me. This one just wasn't for me