Member Reviews
This is an all around amazing book. I love how the bits and pieces of the protagonists life and why she is in Jamaica are revealed. I love the relationships and the setting. I fully felt this book in my soul.
The ending was wonderful!
This was one of my most anticipated books of 2025, and I'm so lucky that I got to read an early copy of this story. Also, that cover is stunning and it helps to set the tone of the book in a great way. This was such an interesting look into a society that I don't know much about--Jamaican social classes, wealth and privilege. I was enthralled by the look into a society in which I don't reside, and I loved the story that developed through that. The folklore woven in, the setting and the characters were all really well realized and made for a compelling story. This was a great book, with an interesting plot but also filled with important commentary and discussion. I really loved this, and I cannot wait for more from this author. One of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and it was a hit! I can't wait to get our physical copies in at the branch.
Carina is on her own and in a country her mother has forbidden her to go. However, she is running away from the recent events of her life and feels the need to start over in a place she can be someone else.
Without too many spoilers, we quickly learn Carina has swapped places with her friend Joy as an Au Pair to a prestigious family. We also learn Joy's family came from money where Carina's was more on the level of lower middle-class. At first we don't know how or why she has swapped places, we just know something has happened at home and Carina may or may not deserve the hate she is receiving online.
Once in Jamaica, she tries to make a fresh start with the group of young people on the estate, but some are suspicious that she rarely talks about herself but seems to be curious about others. She also starts to have feelings for one of the guys, but in her mind he is off limits since her new friend, Ora, has a crush on him already.
The mystery arises as Carina feels followed by a ghost, or as the book calls it, a duppy. She feels as though she is burning at times, and there is writing on her mirror and other unexplainable events. I was continuously curious how the events would play out and I consumed this book in about 2 days.
For a while, I was a bit frustrated with the main character and the way she acted. However, I did have to remind myself, Carina is about 17 years old and going through some incredibly tough things. Overall, I was pleased with this book, and found it to be a good, semi-paranormal sort of drama. I am not certain I put this into gothic or horror but to each their own, I suppose.
On the run from her own dark secrets a girl becomes a nanny for a prestigious family on Jamaican estate only to find that this place may have its own dark secrets. Carina Marshall is running from her past, she's trying to start over and what better way to do so than to get a new job where no one knows her. She gets a job as a nanny for a rich family at Blackbead House, a gorgeous tropical estate filled with glamorous parties, wealthy people, and a great escape for her. When Carina arrives she joins her fellow junior staff members known as Young Birds and keeps herself busy. But as tension in the household begins to grow and Carina begins to fall for a fellow coworker... she begins to realize that someone is after her and that she has to figure out who is trying to haunt her and how she can stop it before she is kicked out. This story was definitely interesting, it had a unique setting and the overall mystery had a gothic vibe to it. My only issue was that I didn't exactly vibe with the writing style and didn't find myself as sucked into the story as I had wished. I really thought I would have enjoyed this more but it just was hard to get into and I found myself constantly just disassociating with the story. While this one didn't hit the mark for me I do think that other gothic mystery readers will have a fun time reading this and would recommend it!
Release Date: January 14,2025
Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)
*Thanks Netgalley and Zando | Sweet July Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
Honeysuckle and Bone was a delightful read. A nuanced peek inside the lives of the Jamaican privleged and social classes. I enjoyed the Jamaican folklore and the twist at the end was chef's kiss! I highly recommend.
Trisha Tobias’s Honeysuckle and Bone is a spellbinding young adult novel that masterfully weaves together suspense, self-discovery, and the allure of the unknown. Set against the lush backdrop of a sprawling Jamaican estate, this atmospheric tale follows Carina Marshall as she attempts to escape her troubled past, only to find herself entangled in a web of secrets that threaten to consume her.
Carina is an imperfect yet deeply compelling protagonist whose journey is as much about confronting her inner demons as it is about unraveling the eerie mysteries of Blackbead House. Tobias paints her struggles with nuance, making Carina relatable even as she navigates her self-imposed exile and the repercussions of her past mistakes. Her position as a nanny to the prestigious Hall family offers both opportunity and peril, drawing her into a seemingly idyllic world that is anything but.
The setting is vividly rendered, with Tobias’s evocative prose bringing Jamaica’s beauty—and its darker undercurrents—to life. From the intoxicating scent of mango trees to the ominous whispers of a haunted estate, the novel immerses readers in a world that is equal parts paradise and prison. The Young Birds, Carina’s fellow staff members, add layers of camaraderie and tension, while the enigmatic Aaron introduces a romantic thread that feels organic to the story.
As the plot thickens, Honeysuckle and Bone transitions seamlessly from a tale of reinvention to a gripping mystery with supernatural undertones. The suspense builds steadily, with the unexplained occurrences at Blackbead House becoming increasingly sinister. Is Carina truly being haunted, or are these manifestations of her guilt and fear? Tobias keeps readers guessing until the very end, delivering twists that feel both surprising and earned.
Beyond the thrills, the novel delves into themes of identity, privilege, and the weight of one’s past. It challenges the notion that a fresh start can erase old wounds, reminding readers that healing often requires confronting what we wish to leave behind.
Eerie and evocative, Honeysuckle and Bone is a standout YA novel that deftly balances intrigue, atmosphere, and character growth. With its lush setting, complex protagonist, and chilling twists, it’s a hauntingly beautiful tale that lingers long after the final page. Fans of gothic suspense and coming-of-age stories will find much to love in Tobias’s remarkable debut.
A delicious slow burn, a unique ghost story, a bevy of Jamaican heritage and influence. This book is so so so good.
Honeysuckle and Bone by Trisha Tobias offers a unique telling of a ghost story combined with Jamaican culture and the mystery of the identity of the ghost. It pulled on my heartstrings near the end. Such an interesting story and tale of grief. I received an advance review copy from Zando - Sweet July Books for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A slow burn, but the best kind. The kind that feeds you morsels with every chapter, keeping you hanging on the edge with anticipation for the thing that will finally tip you off as to just what the hell is going on.
Honeysuckle and Bone kept me guessing throughout, with theories circling my head constantly. The internal and external stories married together so perfectly and made for great conflict from the MC.
Just loved every moment of it!
This is the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. I really really enjoyed it; I found it to be something different from other novels I've read of the same genre. Honeysuckle and Bone sets itself apart from those because it mixes in some humour and also makes use of Patois in the banter between the characters - I've never seen this before in a novel.
Carina is a young girl with a big secret who becomes the au pair for a wealthy family in Jamaica. She comes to the island to work on the family's estate over the summer but quickly realizes that there is something haunting the place. With the help of Aaron, the gardener, she sets out to reveal what - or who - is haunting Blackbead before she messes up and is found out by her employers, Mr. and Mrs. Hall.
Truthfully the writing drew me in from the very beginning; it was fast paced but not too fast that the plot is lost. The character develop and scene-setting helped me really immerse myself into their world. 4 stars from me and I will definitely recommend this to all my horror/mystery/thriller loving pals!
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the advanced reader copy of this book!!
Have you asked your library to order this one yet? 👀
HONEYSUCKLE AND BONE comes out next week and is the perfect YA for a reader who wants:
🐂 a book set in Jamaica
🐂 during a summer au pair gig for an ultra rich family
🐂 in a creepy gothic mansion where scary things happen
🐂 with: secrets! twists! dark truths!
I really enjoyed myself with this one & hope Trisha's debut finds all the right readers. I'd recommend it to fans of It Waits In the Forest, And Don't Look Back, Something Kindred, They Thought They Buried Us & The Girl You Know ❤️✨.
Thanks to Netgalley and Zando for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed it. It is about a young Jamaican American woman who takes her friend's place as an au pair in Jamaica for the summer for a prominent politician's family. She soon becomes haunted by duppies (Jamaican ghosts) in the family's mansion. She is never sure about what she is experiencing because she keeps confusing it with the guilt and shame she feels from her behavior towards her friend while in high school. Over time, she realizes the duppy is trying to talk to her, and the book really starts to get going when the protagonist tries to interpret the clues the ghost is giving her. The description of modern-day Jamaica and the splits between the politician's family (the ruling class) and their servants provide the context for what is happening, and parallels to Jamaica's history are interesting. The characters and the beauty of the island itself are believable and well-drawn. Highly recommend.
This is an interesting read. It’s a new type of story that I have never read.
I definitely figured out who was like “the main bad guy”, but not until right at the end. No spoilers, but this story is more than just a paranormal story, it truly is about love, loss, and coming of age.
Hey, hey, my favorites 😁💚. #annieethebookiee is back with another book review!
📚 Book: Honeysuckle and Bone
🗓️ Release Date: January 14,2025
⭐ Rating: 4/5
This was my first time reading anything by this author, and I have to say, I was impressed! The book starts off slow, but don’t let that fool you — the suspense builds steadily, keeping you on edge and guessing the whole time.
I loved Carina’s bravery. She’s one of those characters who stays with you because of her determination to push through even when everything around her is falling apart. And her relationship with Aaron? Absolutely beautiful. It felt real, raw, and authentic. Their bond added a much-needed softness to the otherwise dark and mysterious story.
The best part? Everyone had secrets — and uncovering them made this book worth the read. Every twist revealed a new layer of the characters’ lives, making it impossible to put down. If you’re into slow-burn mysteries with plenty of surprises, Honeysuckle and Bone is a must-read!
Until next time, happy reading!
💚 Anniee Bee
I picked this book up immediately after downloading it on my kindle because I was so freaking excited and I just knew that it was something I was going to love. Unfortunately it didn’t work for me. There was something about the writing that kept pulling me out of the story. I do think this will be a widely loved book, it just didn’t work for me.
The cover is absolutely beautiful. This is an amazing debut. It’s atmospheric and beautifully written.
The first few chapters felt a bit repetitive but once you get in, it’s evens out and is so engaging I could not put it down
Thank you Netgalley and Zando for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Trisha Tobias’ “Honeysuckle and Bone” is an enthralling debut that creates a gothic atmosphere and focuses on Jamaican folklore into order to create a gripping story about redemption and the ghosts—both literal and metaphorical—that haunt us. You will find much to love in this suspenseful and character-driven story, especially if you enjoy unique folklore.
Carina, reeling from a personal tragedy, flees to Jamaica to start fresh as an au pair for a wealthy, influential family. At first, her new job and the vibrant, unfamiliar culture seem like a perfect escape. However, the house where she now lives holds dark secrets, and so does Carina herself. As supernatural occurrences grow more intense, Carina joins forces with Aaron, a fellow staff member, to uncover the house’s haunted past. But the deeper they dig, the closer Carina comes to confronting truths she’s long buried—truths that could either free or destroy her.
One of the standout features of this book is its setting. The lush, hot, and vibrant Jamaican backdrop feels alive, bringing an added richness to the story. The incorporation of Jamaican folklore, particularly the duppy (a malevolent spirit), adds a unique and chilling layer to the narrative. I don’t think I’ve read a YA book that focused on Jamaican folklore before, and I absolutely loved learning more about the culture. It’s a refreshing departure from more conventional ghost stories, adding depth and originality to the genre. Tobias also paints the house itself as a character, filled with secrets and a menacing, almost sentient presence that keeps readers on edge.
Carina’s characterization is messy and raw, which makes her relatable, if not always likable. As an 18-year-old grappling with adulthood, her flaws and questionable decisions feel authentic to her age and circumstances. This complexity adds depth to her character arc as she struggles to reconcile her past actions with her desire to move forward. Carina’s flawed nature, while intentional, might not resonate with everyone, especially with some of her actions, particularly those that hurt others. However, for those who appreciate imperfect protagonists, her growth by the end of the story will feel rewarding.
The supporting cast is equally compelling, with standouts like Ora, Simone, and Josh adding warmth and vibrancy to the story. The “found family” dynamic among the staff is heartwarming and provides a contrast to the eerie atmosphere. The gradual unraveling of the house’s mysteries, paired with the interplay between Carina and Aaron, delivers a steady tension that keeps you hooked.
I did find the pacing to be a bit uneven at times, especially with a stilted start. However, the story picks up and delivers on its eerie premise though the final twist feels overly reliant on coincidences, requiring a level of suspended disbelief.
Overall, “Honeysuckle and Bone” is a story about self-discovery and redemption. Carina’s journey mirrors the house’s own haunted history, as both must confront buried truths to move forward. This gothic thriller will appeal to readers looking for a ghost story that’s more suspenseful than terrifying, with layered characters and an evocative sense of place. Trisha Tobias establishes herself as a bold new voice in YA fiction, and fans of atmospheric, culturally rich stories will eagerly anticipate what she writes next.
i received an eARC from netgalley and am giving my honest review!
i’ll be honest, i wasn’t the biggest fan of this book. the plot was pretty good, but as i continued to read, i just disliked carina more and more. her actions just kept getting more and more unforgivable, and while at first she showed remorse, she ended the book almost seeming happy for what she’d done? it was pretty infuriating seeing her continuously hurt the people around her and somehow get apologized to? i loved ora however and simone and josh, they were definitely the highlights of the book to me. i also quite enjoyed dante as well. but carina just really bothered me the entire time, and it only got worse and worse. the plot was good, a bit too much packed into one book. too many plot lines going on at once, but still enjoyable nonetheless
This was wonderful. Especially for a debut? Amazing. I really, really loved this one.
Some small parts of the first few chapters felt a bit repetitive, just with her internal monologue, but once things really got rolling, that was not an issue anymore. The cast was amazing, the young birds were SUCH a fun group. The setting was written so well, the author really nailed that. An ending I didn't see coming, it kept me guessing the entire time. Really fun with some good scares.
Trisha will definitely be an author I watch for.
The writing at the start felt a little stilted and awkward the first few couple chapters, but it hits its stride at a certain point. All around beautiful story with some really great scares. The cast was SO fun!! I loved the young birds.
Carina herself was messy and less than perfect but I think that's why she resonated for me in the end.
The Jamaican folklore and setting was so vibrant, hot and beautiful. Made me want a mango real bad.
Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and author for the copy!