Unfortunately I had to DNF this one pretty early on as immediately I did not enjoy or appreciate the voice of this one. I saw someone say it was "republican fan fiction" and I couldn't agree more. Not for me!

I knew I was going to love "Bitter Texas Honey" by Ashley Whitaker as soon as I laid eyes of that amazing cover. I love literary fiction, and I love novels that make me laugh out loud. This book is a dark comedy about a dysfunctional family living in Texas. This novel takes place during Obama's first term. Our main protagonist, Joan is a conservative Republican, but she's a walking contradiction and a total hypocrite. I love unlikeable characters, so I really enjoyed reading about Joan's chaotic descent into alcoholism and pill addiction. The only person Joan connects with is her deeply troubled cousin, Wyatt. Her relationship with Wyatt was the sweetest part of the book. I could really feel their love and admiration for each other. The first half of the book is Joan trying to write her debut novel while juggling 2 love interests, Vince and Roberto. The second half is when we meet Joan's extended family. Even though I loved this book from beginning to end, the 2nd half of this novel really came alive, and the dry humor had me in stitches. Joan comes full circle towards the last 20% of this book. The scenes in this novel felt very cinematic. I can totally see "Bitter Texas Honey" being developed by a major film studio someday. I loved following Joan's journey and personal growth, warts and all. Highly recommended!

Thank you, Netgalley and Dutton for the digital ARC.

DNF at 52% - Privileged white women being conservative and lamenting on a time when she was queer. I love an unlikeable characters but this one just was not doing it for me. Thanks Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Joan, a messy, privileged writer spiraling through her twenties, is hard to like but impossible to look away from. She’s caught between her own bad choices, toxic relationships, and the pressure to make something of herself, even when she’s not sure what that “something” is. Her story explores addiction, ambition, and the people who shape us—for better or worse.

Joan is far from a hero. She’s selfish, cruel, and stuck in a loop of self-destruction. But she’s also fascinating. Her judgment of everyone around her feels harsh, especially since she refuses to take a real look at herself. Still, there’s something raw and real about her that made me want to understand her, even if I didn’t always like her.

This debut is bold, messy, and honest, and I can’t wait to see what the author does next. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC—I loved the wild ride.

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

Fleabag-esque? Hmm, not to me, but I guess I understand the comparison. I'm not quite sure what to think about this book. It kept me entertained, but I was never quite sure what the purpose was. The narrator was hugely unlikable, and and not (to me) in a humorous way. The references to "Conservative talk radio" seemed a little forced, and her family, while as messed up as Joan herself, didn't seem to be religious zealots at all. The continual drug use, bad decisions and painful dialogue just added up to some negative feeling for me while reading.

There's no doubt this will have a wide, adoring audience. I'm sad to say I'm not one of them, but I d0 appreciate the author's candor in how Joan and family were presented.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Bitter Texas Honey is a compelling debut novel that delves into the complexities of family, identity, and self-discovery. Joan, the protagonist, is at a crossroads in her life, struggling to find clarity in the surrounding chaos. Her romantic escapades frequently involve emotionally unavailable or immature men, which she hopes will provide the inspiration she needs for her writing. These choices often leave her adrift, grappling with the gap between her ideals and reality. At the same time, she struggles with her addictions that sometimes turn her unaccountable.

The writing in Bitter Texas Honey is a standout feature—vibrant, vivid, and evocative. It brings Joan’s world to life, immersing the reader in her struggles and triumphs. However, I personally find Joan’s character polarizing; while her flaws make her relatable, her tendency to treat her family unfairly and deflect blame can make her challenging to sympathize with at times.

This novel is a strong and promising debut that captures the messiness of being young and lost while trying to carve out a place in the world. Joan’s story may frustrate you, but it will also resonate deeply, offering a vivid portrait of a woman searching for purpose and meaning. Highly recommended for readers who appreciate layered, imperfect characters and a richly described narrative world.

It hurts me to say I just couldn’t finish this book. I gave it 25%, but just found the prose choppy (too much start/stop on the narrative) and the story all over the place. And there was such an interesting plot outlined in the description, with action following Joan, an aspiring writer who grew up with oft-married parents in a conservative, evangelical household. Though she experimented as a left-wing firebrand, she is conservative to her core and interning for a Republican legislator while she searches for a plot for her upcoming (and so far imagined) novel. This is right up my alley since I am a self professed political dork and have a background working for legislators myself, so I was let down when I couldn’t get through it after multiple attempts. Someone may love the story, it just isn’t me.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

This book was a stand out for me, and I’ve already convinced a few friends to read it once it’s published. I see The Royal Tenenbaums meets Fleabag, and I raise you My Year of Rest and Relaxation meets HBO’s Girls.

DNF at 30% - This one i had to put down. Normally i'm okay with unlikeable characters but this one just isn't for me. thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know that I totally enjoyed or disliked this one. It's going to be polarizing, the main character is a pretty staunch Republican (just for the current political landscape this feels like a gamble). I couldn't tell what was satire and what wasn't which was a little difficult, but I didn't hate the writing or the general little images scattered throughout that made this an incredibly unique story. I think Wyatt's storyline was the one that hit that hardest.

This was a little bit of a confusing read and the main character was a little all over the place. The plot was ready but I was left overall confused.

I have been pleasantly pleased with many of this years debut novels. I don't really like reality TV because the people are awful, and Joan absolutely felt like that. However, I felt that Ashley's writing made me empathize with Joan even though I couldn't really stand her.

Bitter Texas Honey by Ashley Whitaker is a gripping novel that beautifully intertwines themes of love, loss, and resilience. The story follows a protagonist who grapples with her past while navigating the complexities of relationships in a small Texas town. Whitaker’s vivid descriptions and strong character development drew me in, making me feel deeply connected to their journeys. The emotional depth and rich storytelling kept me engaged from start to finish. This book is a heartfelt exploration of the human experience that will linger in your mind long after you turn the last page!

I thought I was going to love this but the main character was so loathsome and incapable of self reflection it was hard to read.

I unfortunately did not really like this book. I found it rambling with really no point. The main character is extremely unlikeable and really has no depth or growth. The most interesting character of the book is the cousin who is hardly even explained. To quote the book itself, a good story needs stakes and this book had none. The politics also served no purpose. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I always love a hot mess unlikeable narrator and Joan was no exception. Whitaker captured the wholeness of her humanity beautifully: from her privilege, woefully misguided political beliefs, and substance abuse issues to her writerly ambitions and love of her cousin, Wyatt. I found this debut smart, funny, and at times satirical. I loved it.

Really fun at first but by the middle I was kinda over it idk. The plot was a bit too meandering for me, and the protagonist is written to be shitty so I get that she sucks on purpose, but at some point, I must choose me and my peace <333 I liked the writing style a lot though, and would potentially read more from this author!

"Bitter Texas Honey" is a sharp study of influence—whether from toxic friends, dysfunctional families, substances, or opposing political views that push you to pick sides. It's a story of being shaped by those around us and navigating the haze of addiction, all while exploring what it means to be a writer or muse. At the same time, it's a sucker punch at the hypocrisy ingrained in American society.

Though I'm not usually a fan of chapter titles in general fiction, they worked brilliantly here. Joan's perspective—surrounded by terrible people, longing to fit in—was refreshingly different from my own. Despite an unlikeable cast, including Joan herself, their flaws make the book compelling, and the pages practically turn themselves. You can't help but wonder if Joan will finish her work or evolve as a character.

While I did. at times, dislike Joan, though not as much as other reviewers, I primarily felt sorry for her. I came to understand her, despite her flaws. She reminded me of someone I once knew, and reading about Joan helped me understand that person’s past toxic behavior, realizing it may have been a result of being utterly lost, yet privileged enough to recover over and over.

With fully developed characters and almost none of the usual debut missteps, it's a fantastic read. I did struggle a bit with the timeline, but it didn’t take away from the story’s impact.

I can’t wait to see what Whitaker writes next!
+4☆

Big thanks to the publisher, PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, the author & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Ashley Whitaker's premier novel, Bitter Texas Honey, had me in a tight grip from the first chapter. A young conservative from Texas, Joan is struggling to finish her novel...or short story compilation...or collection of poignant haikus. She wants to make her mark on the world, but may be obstructing her own path, whatever it is supposed to be. This book chronicles her process through (her own as well as others') addiction issues, self-worth, and crazy family problems. I fell in love with the problematic Joan: ruining her own life, picking herself up again, being great at so many things, but struggling to make anything stick.

I'm very tempted to include my favorite quotes in passages, but won't spoil the story for anyone who plans to read it, (and everyone should plan to read it). Here's what I can promise: You'll see your family members, coworkers, friends, and lovers in this book. You'll fall in love, laugh, and break your own heart as you intertwine your stories with theirs. You won't soon forget the characters, and you'll learn quite a bit about yourself as you watch Joan do the same.

I can't wait for the next novel (....or short story....or haiku) by this author.

This didn’t quite land for me, despite the comparisons to Fleabag. While Joan, the main character, is indeed chaotic and full of contradictions, I didn’t feel the same wit or depth that typically draws me to that comparison. I went into this expecting sharp satire and dark humor, but what I got was a story that didn’t feel satirical enough to really hit home.

Joan, a self-proclaimed conservative rebel, felt more like a nepo-baby trying to justify her messy life than a character I could root for. While I could see how the book aimed to poke fun at her Tea Party Republican family and her own inner turmoil, it just didn’t come together in a way that felt satisfying. I found myself struggling to sympathize with Joan’s conflicts, and her narrative often felt more exhausting than engaging.

That said, the writing does have its moments of humor and cleverness, especially when it comes to Joan’s dysfunctional family dynamics and her relationship with her father. If you enjoy stories centered around chaotic family drama, you might find something to enjoy here, but for me, the satire and character development didn’t quite hit the mark. I did finish it and find things I liked and I know for sure that many readers will love it, it was just a near miss for me!