Honey by Isabel Banta is a coming of age novel about Amber Young, a teen pop singer and her rise to fame. It's set in the 90s and early 2000's and since I was about the same age as our MC, some of this was relatable and/or brought a bit of nostalgia. I found myself wishing I could actually listen to the music she (& the other musicians featured) sang--much like Daisy Jones and The Six. Though there was never a big WOW factor, it didn't need one and I really enjoyed reading this debut novel. I am looking forward to reading more from Isabel Banta.

This book was a pleasant surprise. Overall, I loved how Amber developed as a character throughout the course of the book. Because of how she was raised, I appreciated how at times she was an un-likable character as it made her character arc even more substantial. It was also cool to see the flavors of famous pop stars and bands embedded throughout the story. My 90’s kid heart was forever enthralled with this coming of age tale.

I'm an 80s baby that grew up in the 90s. #isabelbanta just took me on a journey that felt like an insiders view of my fave pop star princes and princesses. #Honey is Christina, Brit and Justin, Jessica, NSync, Backstreet ... the list could go on and on. I remember the stars being pitted against each other. Remember the fast romances and even faster declines. This felt like the rest of the story that those of us on the outside never got to be a witness to.

Thank you #netgalley!

I enjoyed this more than I had expected, this is not my typical read. This book hit me with so much nostalgia, I was obviously a huge fan of all female popstars in the 90s and I loved the fell of this novel. I love that this is popular again, 5 stars

Honey felt like a real, dirty and gritty representation of pop queens of the early aughts. Isabel Banta did not show the sparkling, glittery form of the Britneys, Christina’s and Jessica’s of her world but instead dove deep into what we now know those women faced.

First of all, Amber was a great MC. You could tell even from an early age how she was going to grow into her skin. She made the book feel real and raw and vulnerable. I loved being able to see her growing pains and the way she navigated her career, relationships and the media.

I also thought this was a great way to showcase how we know that famous women, especially teens and young women in their 20s were treated by media and the public in general. From paparazzi, to PR relationships, to their own families this book felt memoir esque instead of fiction. I loved the way it ended with Amber coming into her own and truly living her life.

I listened on audio as well as read and I really enjoyed doing that. The audio book is short and sweet but seeing the articles in the physical format was definitely worth it.

What an incredible debut novel! Isabel Banta draws you into this story from the very first page. We first meet Amber Young as a tween girl in the 90s with a powerful voice who is discovered at a school talent show. Over the next decade, the book follows Amber as her star rises. She meets two other pop singers early in her career, Gwen Morris and Wes Kingston, and her relationships with them become intertwined with her stardom.

This story might be about pop music, but the writing is rich and the characters multi-dimensional. I loved how the book juxtaposed the lightness and carefreeness you might see about a pop star in the media with the darkness and depth that could exist in their real world. Amber is such a real and raw character brought to life in this book.

I also really appreciated the theme of feminism in the music industry, which was interwoven throughout the story. Overall I cannot recommend this book enough. It is definitely in my top books of 2024!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book has some of my favorite prose I’ve ever read. I literally highlighted so many passages that it was almost the whole book. The writing was so visceral that you could feel the MC’s emotions as if they were your own.

This book follows Amber Young, an up and coming pop star in the Backstreet Boys and Brittany Spears era of the late 90s and early 2000s. Amber grew up poor in NJ with an alcoholic mother and absent father before being thrust into the spotlight. She tries to navigate success, privacy, and her artistry amongst the chaos of the paparazzi.

I can’t recommend this book enough! I wasn’t totally sucked in during the first 25% but stick it out and the payoff is vastly worth it. I am the farthest thing from a pop star but I think any woman who experienced this era can relate to Amber in some way. The storytelling and characterization were absolutely phenomenal!

Loved, loved, loved this book! Honey has been on my radar for months, and it did not disappoint. Honey spans across the late 1990s and early 2000s pop music scene, following (the fictional) Amber Young’s infamous career - from her beginnings in a girl group to her solo career.

This is expertly written, and the characters feel like real people. Honey explores coming of age in the public eye - trying to find yourself in the midst of public opinion, can you let people see the real you or are you better off being another persona? And how much control are you willing to give up to make it as a superstar?

It’s told mostly from Amber’s perspective as she struggles to follow her passion and become a star. At the end of each section, we get faux news articles, interviews, song lyrics to give context to Amber’s view and show the reader what the story looks like from the outside looking in.

I picked this up because I loved Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - and while Honey is in the vein of Daisy Jones (a faux memoir set in the music industry), Honey is a different read. The summary mentions Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died, and in retrospect, Honey is a much closer read to this memoir than Daisy Jones.

I listened to the audiobook and followed along in an ebook at times. The audio format worked well for me - I enjoy listening to memoirs, and this book is very memoir-esque. Brittany Pressley does an excellent job bringing Amber to life - highly recommend!

I absolutely loved this book. It brought me back to my middle/high school years and the pop stars that rose during that time. It was nostalgic and an enjoyable read. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

2.5 stars
Isabel Banta’s Honey is a story with potential but falls a little short of being truly memorable. The main character, Honey, is a young woman on a path of self-discovery and personal growth, but while the premise is promising, the execution leaves something to be desired.

The writing is clear and has a straightforward style that makes the book easy to read. However, the book lacks the depth and subtleness that could have elevated the story. The characters feel a bit one-dimensional, and their development didn't really matter to me.

The themes of family expectations and personal ambition are relevant, but they are explored in a way that feels familiar and not particularly groundbreaking. Some parts of the book drag on while others feel rushed, making it hard to fully connect with Honey.

Overall, Honey is an okay light read with some interesting moments, but doesn't leave a lasting impression.

This book feels like you are 13 again and are getting the inside scoop on the lives of your favorite boy bands and singers! I like that it put a focus on the way women tend to be treated and sexualized in this industry. I do feel like it was lacking in some of the plot and I wasn’t really rooting for any of the characters, but overall it was a really entertaining story & the audio was great!

Definitely a fun concept.

I love the cover it’s what attracted me. I’m glad I read it. Would like to add to my shelf

3 stars

Thank you NetGalley, Isabel Banta, and Celadon books for the ARC!
Let's go with 2.75 stars rounded up.
It's okay. IT'S FINE. I saw this one being compared a lot to Taylor Jenkin Reid's "Daisy Jones" which should've given me some indication of how I would feel about this one. Still, I figured I'd give it a chance because I like the time period it's set in and I love early 2000s pop. Banta, like TJR, is a GOOD writer. At times, there were really profound passages and I loved in particular the way Amber and Axel talked about music. However, I really REALLY don't like the inclusion of lyrics in books. This may be a personal thing- but I find it hard to process reading the lyrics without a known melody in my head. Also, to hear these really awesome descriptions of the music that they're making up against these mediocre lyrics was a little laughable at times.

There's a lot of issues one could tackle in a book about a early aughts female pop star. Fatphobia, misogyny, lack of bodily autonomy, exploitation and the lack of privacy. While Banta touches on these things, it doesn't do much to expand on them in any profound or meaningful way. I found myself wanting more of an exploration of these issues, especially in a book that novelizes many career journeys of early 2000's pop stars. Obviously, we now have like a ton of memoirs from these former superstars so if I wanted more of that I could just read those (and I did, and guess what? I still wanted more from this book so whatever). On the other hand, I think it was taking itself too seriously to be a sort of fun, nostalgic trip to the world of 2000's pop. In the end it was just meh for me.

What is with all of these reviews? This novel was PHENOMENAL!!!!!!! Before I rant I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC🥰🥰🥰

Okay! Here we go!
So a lot of people are saying this book didn’t feel like it was executed to its full potential. I only partially agree bc I DO feel like we needed more detail. Specifically regarding what happens with Axel, I LOVE THAT MAN ugh!!!! 🥹
(Bechdel test fail by me right out of the gate! epic1!)

I’ve seen some observations that the characters’ lives feel unrealistic, but I think that’s the whole point? This novel serves as a commentary on stardom and the commodification of literal children. Their lives ARE fast paced, unrealistic, and almost nothing they are experiencing is appropriate for their age. Of course they’re acting and thinking like grown ups while still being immature !!

As for pacing and lack of detail surrounding the job of being a “pop star”, I truly think this story is meant to be told in a fragmented way. Our FMC, Amber, is clearly dealing with an incredibly hectic reality, but she’s also processing her trauma in real time. Not one part of me expected this to be a cut and dry, strictly structured narrative because this girl is really going through it. With everything happening, it’s like her life exists in snapshots, so she tells it in snapshots. She didn’t have to explain every photo shoot, meeting, recording session, etc., and I think she actually DID give a ton of detail about her career itself so idk what y’all are on about?!?!?!!!!

AND of course Wes & Amber’s relationship felt rushed and unrealistic because, again, it was. Wes is a total idiot who treated Amber badly. He’s incredibly selfish which makes perfect sense with his backstory. Your past is not an excuse to be a scumbag though, babe <3

I personally LOVE Banta’s writing style. It’s such a treat. She has GORGEOUS imagery and delivers sharp commentary by showing and not telling which is incredibly difficult to do. I think she has such a strong pulse on the y2k culture and the landscape of pop music back then. Her observations on womanhood, sense of self, beauty standards, misogyny, predatory men, stardom, desire, mental health, sexuality, creativity, the human condition, etc., etc. are SPOT ON.

My favorite parts of this book are when Amber is truly joyous and fulfilled instead of chasing a false image of happiness (what she’s told she should want). This happens when she sings, writes music, and has genuine connections with people.

Her friendships with Gwen and Axel were where her true happiness and fulfillment got cultivated. Gwen & Amber’s friendship & sisterhood was SO beautiful to witness. They were supposed to hate each other but instead they had a radical love for each other. I adore Gwen! She’s so insightful & funny! Plus, her & her gf are so cute together and their love story is amazing. Overall I appreciate that we saw Gwen’s struggles from a dual-perspective: from the media and from her best friend. Amber details paparazzi pictures taken of Gwen where she’s crying or under the influence. Plus, we literally see some of Gwen’s erratic behavior when she’s with Amber. She is a clear manifestation of the perils of childhood fame, but in a different way than Amber is. Gwen’s health, happiness, and safety were as important to me as Amber’s were as I read. I <3 Gwen!! THE ultimate y2k chaotic bff :’)

The juxtaposition of Amber’s life in America vs Amber’s life in Norway was beautiful. In America (and in the eyes of Wes & other men), she’s a commodity, a “sex symbol”. In Norway, she’s an artist, a creative, a writer, and a friend. Axel sees Amber as a human being which is new to her. Her entire life she’s been objectified or neglected by others. She often sees permission and validation from men instead of trusting her own gut, so when Axel tells her to be authentic because she’s an amazing artist, he gives her the ultimate gift: permission to be.
The way he treats Amber was such a relief after seeing all that she’s had to put up with before. I love that man. I love that he reminded her she’s human.

With that being said, I took one star off because we don’t get to see much of Amber being truly happy. We mostly watch her struggle, which is essential to the story, but I wanted to watch Amber grow into the authentic version of herself that she’s just discovered. I wanted to feel more of her joy because it was beautiful.

Anyways…enough ranting from me. I loved this novel!!! I can’t believe it’s a debut!! Isabel Banta 4 pres !! <3

This was…. Really slow. I enjoyed it yes, but I felt like there was so much that I could have just done without. It hurts to see how much pain, hate, and judgement big stars get when they themselves are just trying to make a living. The misconception, the judgmental feedback on what they wear, who they love, and what they’re eating. Breaks my heart a million times over and I feel like I could feel her emotions through the pages. Honestly, a lesson well learned. 3.5 stars for me

This book was a nostalgic journey for me, bringing back vivid memories of growing up in the 90s and 2000s. It brilliantly captures the essence of pop stardom during that era, evoking a sense of longing for those times. What stood out to me were the thought-provoking themes it explored, particularly the over-sexualization of young women and the relentless competition among them.
Despite its darker tones, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would recommend it to anyone interested in the more shadowy aspects of young stardom. The narrative delves deep into the pressures and challenges young women face in the limelight, offering a raw and unflinching look at their world.
However, it's important to note that this book does tackle some heavy and potentially triggering subjects. I strongly suggest that readers check for trigger warnings beforehand, as certain elements may be distressing for some. Overall, it's a compelling read that provides a unique perspective on the darker side of fame.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC and the opportunity to review this book.

I will admit that I was expecting more from this book. With decently unlikeable characters, some standout quotes, and a couple strong moments, the overall plot and pull to read was lost quite quickly. I am not sure I am a fan of pop culture books written from a 90s perspective. If you want to grasp the demographic reading these books they likely want something that was actually written in the 90s. I often go for a historical fiction book if I am looking to read about the past., I am not one to reach for something that tries to emulate a decade from a modern day standpoint.

Was so excited to revisit the 90s through this read but for some reason it did not connect with me the way I wanted it too. Too many characters for me to stay focus but I did like the storyline.

As an elder millennial, I really, really loved the idea of this book. I was in high school in the late 90s and early 200s and was a big fan of all the girl groups. Every high school field hockey player remembers putting on their uniform and dancing to Baby One More Time during a pep rally!!

Unfortunately, Honey didn't really live up to the hype for me. For whatever reason, I just didn't find it Amber's story super believable, especially her rise to fame. At one point, she was on TRL and had a charted song, but still didn't have anyone watching her at a concert. It seemed odd. The book is also way more romance heavy than I typically prefer and I guess I just wasn't expecting that. Ultimately, I found the book a little boring, which made me sad because I had such high expectations!

I am still glad I listened to it and I do think it did a decent job at detailing the contradictory demands on teen girls and young women in the 90s (many of which are still present today), especially those in the spotlight.

This debut novel follows Amber Young on her rise to fame in the pop star studded era of the late 90s / early 2000s. On paper, I should have loved this, but it just got so incredibly boring. I wasn’t invested in any of the characters. I’m honestly not quite sure what the point was? Throwing in an extra star for nostalgia though.

2 stars ⭐️⭐️