Honey by Isabel Banta is an intriguing debut with a unique voice and a vivid sense of place. The writing is sharp and stylish, and there were moments where I was completely pulled in by the atmosphere and emotional undercurrents. Banta definitely has a way with words, and the character work was layered and complex.

That said, the story didn’t fully land for me. There were stretches that felt a bit meandering, and I found myself wanting a stronger connection to the characters’ motivations. Some of the emotional beats didn't hit as hard as I hoped, and I finished the book feeling more intrigued than fully satisfied.

Still, there’s a lot of promise here, and I’d be curious to read whatever Banta writes next. If you’re into literary fiction with a moody, introspective tone, Honey might be a good fit for you.

Thank you so much to Celadon Books & NetGalley for this eARC!

Set against the backdrop of the '90s pop scene, Honey tells the compelling journey of Amber, a teenager with stars in her eyes and big dreams of fame. When she lands a spot in the girl group Cloud9, it seems like everything she’s ever wanted is finally within reach. The flashing lights, the excitement, the whirlwind lifestyle it all feels like magic. But as Amber is thrust into the limelight, she quickly discovers the darker side of the dream she once chased so hard. The book beautifully explores the rollercoaster of self-discovery, identity, and the emotional cost of stardom.

I was genuinely moved by Amber’s story. She’s fiercely driven, and that fire in her makes her so easy to root for. Her voice is authentic and full of heart. One of my favorite parts was her friendship with Gwen—it felt real and grounding, a much-needed anchor in the chaos of her rising fame. The book’s nostalgic touches, especially the early 2000s pop culture nods, gave it such a fun, throwback feel that I loved.

What stuck with me most was the ending, hopeful and full of personal growth. In the end, Amber doesn’t just find success; she finds herself. And that, more than anything, is what made this story so satisfying. The writing was strong, the characters felt alive, and it offered a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the world behind the glitter.

This was such a fun read, it really felt like getting a backstage pass to the lives of '90s and early 2000s pop stars. If you’ve ever wondered what it was really like during that era of bubblegum pop and girl groups, this book totally delivers. I’d definitely recommend it, you won’t be disappointed!

Honey offers a nostalgic journey into the pop music industry of the late ’90s and early 2000s, highlighting both its allure and its challenges. I think this is worth the read.

𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 by Isabel Banta follows a manufactured pop princess who was shaped and controlled and sold to the world. I could not read it and not think about Brittany Spears. I hate that too because it's what uncreative reviews said... but damn, if it wasn't wormed in my brain.

Amber Young knew how to hit every mark, but offstage, she drowned in body image, creepy industry power plays, and the feeling that she didn't even belong to herself anymore. Two things that I didn't expect that stuck with me were her backup dancer best friend, the only person who sees her instead of the brand (which was great), and how she watches old performances of herself, trying to remember if she was ever actually happy. (sad, but authentic). I couldn't relate to the characters but that could be generational. I did enjoy the behind-the-scenes aspects but it felt a bit like fan fiction and the language was much younger than I what I felt the characters would sound like. I did listen to the audiobook as well as have the ebook so the voice may have added to that. I recommended this one to my Instagram followers who love pop culture.

The premise of this novel is a fun one and qualifies as a nice "getaway" read, but the character development was lacking to make it a 5-star. Still, many will love this novel and the pop star storyline.

So cute! Couldn’t put it down. Coming of age story about a girl in the late 90s early 2000s and I felt like I was right there along for the ride while reading this book. Must read!

“Honey” is a compelling coming-of-age story that captures the whirlwind of fame experienced by singer Amber Young as she rises to superstardom in the vibrant yet tumultuous late ’90s and early 2000s pop music scene. Named a best book of the summer by notable publications, this debut novel by Isabel Banta deftly explores the complexities of fame, ambition, and the quest for genuine connection.

Set in 1997, the story begins with Amber receiving the life-changing opportunity to join the girl group Cloud9 in Los Angeles, marking the start of her meteoric rise. Surrounded by fellow stars, including the determined Gwen Morris and the charming Wes Kingston from the world’s biggest boy band, ETA, Amber's journey is filled with excitement and mounting pressures.

Banta’s writing combines the captivating style seen in Stephanie Danler’s “Sweetbitter” and the raw honesty reminiscent of Jennette McCurdy’s “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” The author skillfully delves into Amber’s rich interior life as she navigates the challenges of fame, relationships, and finding her own identity amidst the chaos that often reduces her to a mere product. Each moment of triumph and heartache reflects the ways public perception can distort personal reality, making Amber’s struggles both relatable and poignant.

While the narrative captures the glittering highs and the dark lows of celebrity life, it occasionally dips into predictable territory, especially concerning the archetypes of the music industry. However, Banta's fresh perspective and the multidimensional portrayal of pop culture icons we thought we knew adds depth to the story.

Overall, “Honey” is an engaging and insightful novel that revisits the tenacity of young women in an industry that often exploits them. With its intriguing premise and heartfelt execution, this book earns a solid four-star rating, inviting readers to reflect on the stories behind the headlines of the stars we once idolized and misunderstood.

Honey has an intriguing premise and moments of strong writing, but overall, it falls short in execution. The characters feel underdeveloped, and the pacing drags, making it difficult to stay fully engaged. While there are glimpses of potential, the story lacks the depth and momentum needed to make a lasting impact.

I wanted more from this book! I felt like the concepts were strong but they needed to be built up a little more in order to engage you and truly have you rooting for them.

While I thought this entertaining and good overall, I felt the characters were not developed enough for me to form any sort of attachment to them.

4 ⭐️

This was such an emotional, dramatic, and fun story. I was hooked from the first chapter and loved the 2000s pop star and boy band drama of it all. This felt unique in its own way even when this genre has been around and been done. Amber was interesting and I loved reading about her story.

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC!

Isabel Banta’s Honey is a gripping, emotionally charged debut that pulls back the curtain on the late-’90s and early-2000s pop music machine. Through the rise of Amber Young—from small-town girl to international superstar—the novel delivers a compelling and sometimes heartbreaking portrait of the price of fame, particularly for young women in the industry.

Amber is a fascinating protagonist—ambitious, vulnerable, and constantly forced to navigate a world that commodifies and exploits her. Banta captures the era’s glossy excitement but doesn’t shy away from its darker realities: industry control, media scrutiny, and the impossible expectations placed on female pop stars. Fans of Daisy Jones & The Six and I’m Glad My Mom Died will appreciate the blend of glitz, grit, and raw emotional depth.

While the novel is immersive, some parts feel a little familiar, borrowing from real-life celebrity trajectories without always adding something new. Still, the writing is sharp, and the character dynamics—especially Amber’s relationships with fellow pop stars Gwen and Wes—feel authentic and layered.

While the premise was nice, the writing was... not what I expected. I wanted more from the characters because I felt that what was on the front cover and the front flap was not what we were given.

Reading somewhat like a memoir with a mix of contemporary fiction and satire, Honey is a unique coming of age novel set in the 90s and 2000s (aka Brittney Spears era). Amber reaches toward singing stardom, but also experiences all pitfalls of being famous -including failed relationships, exposure to substances and impulsive lifestyles. Sometimes I disliked the main character, at times I emphasized with her, and other times angry with her actions and choices. It was chaotic to read, but I couldn’t put it down either.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc and the publisher for a physical copy.

This was incredibly nostalgic for us millennials. Amber is a teen who dreams of being famous and that does end up happening. It really showcases the downside to fame, and how impactful it can be to her wellbeing.

I felt like the overall story was good, just didn't feel like it was a standout. Writing was okay. This felt YA to me, which is fine but it wasn't expecting. It was an okay, enjoyable, quick read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Honey by Isabel Banta!

Honey is a warm, heartfelt novel with an emotional core. Banta’s writing is sweet, and the characters are so relatable that you can’t help but become deeply invested in their journey.

“𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭? 𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐦𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞? 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰?”

Honey is a nostalgic coming-of-age story of needing connection set during the teen pop boom of the late 90s and early 2000s.

Detailing Amber Young’s slow rise to stardom from a young age, Isabel Banta’s prose reads just like it is Amber’s own memoir, written from her journals and memories. I liked the multimedia pieces that were strewn in, like a Wiki article on Cloud9 (the failed girl group of Amber and best friend/pop star rival Gwen), a J-14 magazine quiz, and interviews, which help continue to capture that nostalgic feeling; all reminded me of how I used to consume any article about the pop stars that I loved. Amber’s story definitely pulls from Britney’s: a Star Search feature, an early connection to a member of a beloved boy band (who eventually she would date), controversy on being “too sexy,” and working with a Swedish producer (Axel is Max Martin-inspired, for sure). I liked how Amber’s success wasn’t a smash from her first single, unlike Britney’s. This struggle really pushed Amber into not just wanting to be a pop star because she wanted to be known, but to also really find her why and her drive. I also liked the friendship glimpses between Amber, and ETA boyband member Ty (who may have been inspired by Lance Bass); I wish there was more of them. Honestly, that’s how I feel about the book as a whole: I wanted more, especially in the characterization. The relationships between Gwen and Amber and Wes and Wes just didn't feel fully real or developed. Certain elements of the plot felt too short - I wanted to see Amber’s fame as a popstar fully.

Honey has the bones of a good story, even if I wanted more. I appreciated the trip down memory lane, and if you loved teen pop music of the TRL era, you may enjoy this. Thank you to Celadon and NetGalley for the ARC!

I genuinely enjoyed this more than I thought after I had to soft DNF because my ARC from netgalley expired so I had to wait for the audio to be released. It’s always interesting to me to read about famous people’s lives because they are just people like us, with feelings and thoughts and so much of their lives are not their own. I think she did a great job showing the struggles of fame, and also the excitement it can bring.

The plot of this book was so interesting and I was really excited to dive in. I really liked the writing and the musical aspect of the novel, but I had a hard time staying invested in the story. Overall, it was a fun and light read! It's definitely perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid.