Landed kind of meh for me. Lots of wasted potential.

This is the story of Amber Young, a pop star in the 90s-00s. It’s a coming of age story as she finds herself and gains confidence. We learn about her love life, friendships, and relationship to her music. There’s some commentary on fame and the toxic way media approached female pop stars during that time.

There’s *so much* to explore about this era of pop stardom, but this book just skims along the surface. I wanted so much more about body image, performance, creative control, parental and manager abuses, etc. Amber is the most openly sexual and risqué of the 3 female pop stars in the book, but when questioned about this she just repeatedly insists that she wears what “feels good” and doesn’t care what anyone thinks. I wanted a much deeper dive into the catch-22 of existing as a woman: too sexual = bad, too prudish also = bad. I wanted to explore how it’s impossible as a woman to choose how to present yourself independent of what anyone else thinks. Instead it’s like she gives it zero thought.

I didn’t expect the book to be so focused on her romantic relationships. I wanted more about *her*. I don’t think there’s even a stage performance from her actually on the page. It’s a weird gap. Later in the book it starts to be a bit more about her desire for creative control, and I kind of wish we got to see more of that and the challenges at a new stage of her career.

The audiobook was mostly a very good experience with a great narrator. The one weird thing was the decision to put a pop beat behind the narrator when she read the lyrics to songs. The narrator is not singing the song, but there’s some music for some reason… it was odd rather than helpful.

It felt like this book could’ve been so much more, so that’s was disappointing. But I did find it very readable and engaging. I was invested enough in Amber’s story and wanted to see how it ended. One of my favorite parts was when Amber is interviewed for a magazine and you get her POV and then you read the published version with its obvious manipulation of the conversation and wild assumptions about her body language. Funny and sad.

The author’s style is a bit more figuratively dense and flowery than I typically enjoy, but I think I’d be willing to try her again if the premise appealed to me!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was so excited I received an ALC of this book, I ate it up!! 💁🏻‍♀️

There’s early 2000s vibes, pop stars, romance, drama, and a lil bit of spice 😉

Honey is Isabel Banta’s debut novel and after finishing this, I can’t wait to see what comes next from her!

Honey is a coming-of-age story that follows the meteoric rise of singer Amber Young as she navigates fame in the late-90s and early-2000s era of pop music superstardom.

I love the nostalgia I felt while listening and felt like these characters were real.

I highly recommend checking Honey out when it’s officially published on June 25th!

I enjoyed the narration for this audiobook and felt like it was an easy listen. I felt immersed and engaged throughout the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

Just wow! This one blew me away. Such a raw, realistic portrayal of young women trying to make it in the music industry in the 90’s. The story of Amber Young and her group mate turned BFF, Gwen Morris, was similar to the way Daisy Jones and the Six seemed to be about an actual band. I felt such empathy for these young women who wanted huge careers but had to follow the advice and whims of execs - typically creepy old white guys. So much pressure to be virginal or sexy but also serve as role models. I enjoyed all of the 90’s vibes. This was great on audio, I would definitely recommend. What an impressive debut - I will absolutely be keeping an eye out for this author’s next book! Pub Date: 6/25/24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an advanced audio copy. All opinions are my own.

Hello Britney, Christina, Justin! Are we back to Disney Club day? Are we doing little late 90s/early 2000s revival? Are we trying to get 90s kids hyped up? If that was your goal Isabel Banta, you did it. I'm sure there are few out there trying to find their CD players instead of searching "I'm a Slave for You" on Spotify.

Amber liked to sing. She wanted to get out of her small town (and away from her alcoholic mother) when the opportunity knocked on her door. She was going to be part of a girl band. But when the band dissolved, she found herself in a not so dreamy situation. People didn't take her as seriously as did other band members. She fell in love with another boy band member and that was her downfall. She was called names. Her career was screaming "2007 Britney". After that, it was a uphill battle for Amber to find right people and her own voice.

I liked the story until last chapter. I get it; there needed to be an epilogue to bring Amber to the current day. But also I wouldn't mind that being left to my imagination: is she gonna be fine? is she still struggling? That would have been the popstar ending.

3.5 stars
I was excited to listen to Honey as the blurb was 100% up my alley. I love celebrity memoirs, even fictionalized. I also love rock/pop books. This book checked all the boxes for me. That said, it didn’t quite hit/connect for me as much as I anticipated. I usually love Brittany Pressley’s narrations but she was a bit flat for me in this one and that affected things too. I do think the author’s writing has a lot of promise and I will definitely check out their next book!
*Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook review copy

Honey, by Isabel Banta is similar to Daisy Jones and the Six in that it reads like a memoir of sorts. I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately it feel a little short. I didn't feel a connection to the characters and didn't really get a good connection between the different relationships with all of the characters. I wanted to know more about their relationships.

First thing’s first: thank you Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
Honey was a coming of age story about Amber Young and how she rises to pop star celebrity status at a young age. We see her grow up in the industry during the early 2000’s and all the high and lows of that.
This book was okay! I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. It was a lot of…not much happening. It felt like I was listening to a fake memoir or limited docuseries? Which if you’re into that- cool! But I was a little bored. Also this audiobook had unnecessarily long pauses OFTEN. I was listening at 2.5x speed and the pauses were still so long that I thought the playback had glitched. I can’t tell you how many times I thought my internet had gone out or that my book paused itself. Nope! Just a 15 second pause for no reason at all!
3.25⭐️

If you enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six; if you are a fan of celebrity memoirs/music industry stories; if you grew up in the early aughts; well then you'll probably enjoy the nostalgia and bubblegum pop star energy of Honey by Isabel Banta.

I found this one ticked the above boxes, although I do have trouble sometimes engaging with a book that doesn’t have a lot of dialogue. Once we got to the meat of her career, we got more dialogue which helped but overall this book felt like a lot more telling than showing and just may not suit my narration style.

I think Banta did a great job capturing the POV of a female musical artist emerging in this era and the book reads like an accurate, fictional amalgamation of Britney Spears/jessica Simpson/Mariah Carey’s memoirs which I enjoyed. Having read a significant number of memoirs in this genre, I think the author grasps a lot of the common hurtles, hurts, and highs of becoming a pop star.

I shifted to listening to the audiobook once it was available on NetGalley, and I gotta say I think it was a big miss not to sing and stylize the musical portions. The narrator just read them out with some background beats, which was disappointing. It would’ve added a lot. to have a guest vocalist do those, which is one thing I love about the pop star memoirs narrated by the artist.

I did a read & listen for this one, I received the arc audiobook from Netgalley after getting it as my BOTM. Overall, this just made me so sad. It was like if Daisy Jones and The Six was combined with I’m Glad My Mom Died. It was a coming of age story full of such trauma. The audiobook was wonderfully narrated!
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this arc audiobook in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own.

4.5⭐
I loved this book - and I think I loved the audio version even more. The narrator was perfect for bringing the FMC, Amber, to life.
Think Daisy Jones, but late 90s/early 00s pop. As an elder millenial, I felt transported back to my teens of being obsessed with pop groups and artists just like described in this book.
Though I did feel that some of the relationships and character development weren't fully fleshed out, I did find myself rooting for the main characters. I wish it went more in depth on some of the heavy subjects that are touched on, almost just in passing [eating disorder, abortion], and how those truly affected the character.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this and would highly recommend the audio version of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audio book.

I wanted to enjoy this more--who doesn't like a thinly veiled look into the world of 90's pop stars? But the tone didn't quiet get to the peek behind the curtains fun of a book like this, nor the more serious tone of a satirical look at what this kind of fame does to people who are very young. Didn't quite work for me.

It’s 1997 and Amber Young has been asked to join the short lived girl group Cloud9, while it’s life changing she seems to always be a few steps behind her friends Gwen Morris and Wes Kingston who reach stardom first. The public also perceives her as a bad influence and promiscuous even though she’s really only 20 years old and hasn’t really lived much life. As her own star begins to rise the tabloids keep creating their own story of her life; luckily she has Gwen and some other friends on her side to keep her from completely losing herself.

I ended up liking this one more than I thought I would, the 90s retro was fun nostalgia for me as was the mini insight (although nothing new) into the fake lives of stars. The “public” persona vs the private lives and the exploitation of young stars is really the main theme of this novel though if you really want bang for your buck on that one I would read (actually listen to) Brittney’s memoir. It’s really a cute quick read but not quite as deep as a Daisy Jones or Songs by Ursa Major in my opinion; however those are more folk singers in a different era and Honey gives the Gen Xer/Millennials the right time period for real nostalgia. In the end, it’s a fun read for a Gen X reader like me. I think listening to this one was a good move.

3.75 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC

This book is a mix between The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & the Six, that is to say, this whole book feels like something Taylor Jenkins Reid or Mona Awad would have written. Listening to this, there was not a second where I was bored of the character or the story. It was a perfect mix of drama and storytelling, the book didn't stall every time there was a new conflict and I really admire when an author can do that.

I felt drawn to all of the characters in one way or another and I'm glad we got a happy ending because I feel like the main character deserved it.

This was a really fun listen. The story was fun and the characters were all different and kept me wanting to listen more. Banta had amazing writing and the narrative was good too.

Listening Speed: 1.25x for me
Narrator: Brittany Pressley

Narration Quality:
Brittany Pressley’s performance in *Honey* is a highlight of the audiobook experience. Her narration style, reminiscent of Tina Fey for me for some reason, brings a unique charm to the story! Pressley’s skillful dialogue delivery and engaging tone make her feel like a friend narrating a tale, enhancing the overall enjoyment. Her ability to capture the essence of the characters and the era adds a layer of authenticity and warmth to the audiobook.

Story and Themes:
Set in the 1990s and early 2000s, Honey by Isabel Banta is an intriguing exploration of the pop culture landscape of the era, which might come as a surprise to those who now see the 90s as historical fiction, like me. Makes me feel old! 😂 The novel adeptly demonstrates that the most popular songs and singers aren't always the best, highlighting the enigmatic nature of fame and success.

The book is rich in pop culture references, featuring nods to Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton, Carson Daly and MTV, YM magazine, Daria, Star Search, Mazzy Star’s "Fade Into You," and the Rosie O’Donnell Show. These references not only ground the story in its time period but also evoke a sense of nostalgia for those who lived through the 90s such as myself.

Strengths:
Honey excels in capturing the awkwardness of puberty and the challenges of body dysmorphia and insecurity. The inclusion of multimedia elements such as magazine articles and interviews adds depth and variety to the narrative. A particularly poignant moment is the reflection on how hurtful comments made during youth can linger, a lesson that resonates deeply.

The plot starts with substantial potential, delving into important and complex issues, though they sometimes feel underdeveloped. Despite this, the storyline is engaging, especially for those who fondly remember the late 90s pop scene. The emergence of a pop star in 1999 is a theme that resonates well with listeners who graduated high school in that era!

Criticisms:
While the story is compelling, it does experience lulls, and some listeners might find the issues raised are not explored as fully as expected. This could lead to a sense of unfulfilled potential. Additionally, comparisons to Daisy Jones & The Six might set up unrealistic expectations. If approached without these comparisons, Honey stands out on its own merits.

Overall Impression:
I found myself torn between rating Honey three or four stars. Ultimately, I settled on four stars because the narration by Brittany Pressley was exceptional, and the cover art is fantastic. The book captures a significant period of pop culture that aligns perfectly with my own high school and early college years.

If you’re looking for an entertaining story that reminisces about the late 90s pop era, Honey is a worthwhile listen or read. While it may not dive as deeply into certain issues as some might hope, the combination of Banta’s engaging writing and Pressley’s stellar narration makes for a memorable experience. I look forward to exploring more of Isabel Banta’s work in the future.

Honey is best enjoyed without the preconceived notion that it’s a Daisy Jones for a different generation. Embrace it for its nostalgic value and its honest portrayal of the era’s complexities, and you’ll find it a rewarding listen/read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ACL!

I didn't really know what to expect from this book, but I was entertained. As someone who loves pop culture and enjoys when it's referenced in books, I did enjoy this. It felt nostalgic and also realistic, but on what the public knows about pop stars that came up in the 90s. All the glitters isnt gold! I didn't care for the singing scenes, but that's a personal preference. It's hard for me to connect with the songs without a melody even with audiobooks.

My only criticism is the characters. I was entertained by the story, but I didn't care about the characters enough to connect. I could tell they were going through a lot in the industry, but they still felt surface level.

Overall I think this book was fine. Nothing mind blowing but still interesting enough. I think it will be best consumed in an audio format because the narrator was excellent.

As a teen Amber Young gets her big break debuting with the girl group Cloud9, but the industry is fierce, and it's hard to match the star power of boy band ETA. When Amber goes solo, she's stuck as an opener, never the main act. What's worse is she's in love with one of ETA's finest, Wes. But the drama surrounding his previous relationship won't ever let Amber and Wes be.

I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it either. Pushover, overly apologetic Amber started to get on my nerves after a while. And don't even get me started on how much Wes sucks. However, I did like the friendship between Gwen and Amber. The ending felt rushed to me, and I wish it would have been more showy and less telly.

I listened to the audiobook, which was great because it was a cast production. However, I had one giant ick. Brittany Pressley is a great narrator. Don't get me wrong here. She was definitely the voice of Amber. However, she either cannot or doesn't even attempt to sing, and since there were several songs in this book, it was just awful to listen to her speak them. If the publisher paid other narrators to voice interviews and such, why not just add on a singer to sing the songs. It was not fun to listen to the songs, and I would have loved that if they'd had an actual singer.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. I'll leave this one up to you whether you read it or not.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

I’ve realized something about myself I love books about famous people or things and how messed up they are. Honey by Isabel Banta was no different for me I was hooked from the start with Amber’s story and I thought all the characters were really well done and the story was well written. I will be on the lookout for Isabel’s next release.

Honey

Pub day: June 24
3.75/5⭐️

This was so nostalgic! I was totally caught up in this story and felt like I was back in my senior year of high school watching the careers of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera take off. This book isn’t based off of anyone but it did feel like an amalgamation of Britney, Christina, Pink, and Jessica Simpson with some boy band romance thrown in. I enjoyed the process of seeing these girls become stars, the behind the scenes of it all, but it definitely had some dark and gritty parts and a lot more steam than I expected, which won’t be for everyone.

I switched back and forth between audio and my BOTM for this and while the audio had great narration they didn’t take the opportunity to sing the songs. Reading songs in my head is totally fine but when it’s lyrics being read to me I have higher expectations and would’ve loved to hear what the music sounded like.

Overall this was a quick and evocative read that will be a good fit if you like:

VH1 Behind the Music
First Love Drama
Strong Female Friendship
Steamy open door scenes
Late 90s/early 2000s pop

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the alc via Netgalley!

I received an audiobook arc of the book Honey through NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.

I gave this book 5 stars. I highly enjoyed the whole story!

This is about a young girl, Amber Young who knows she has talent. She is discovered at a talent show and gets the call of a lifetime: to join a girl group. She meets some people who will continue to be in her life as she gets older, including her best friend Gwen who is also in the band. And Wes from a boy band they open for.

This book takes place in the late 90’s asks early 2000’s, and it’s the perfect time for a pop star like Amber. When she starts her solo career, she is seen as a very sexual person. In fact her agent is happy when she tells him she isn’t a virgin.

This story takes us through the highs and lows of Amber finding her fame as well as herself. She finds love, and she finds herself in the center of controversies. The whole time I was rooting for her!