Reads like old Jodi Picoult in a very good way.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

I absolutely loved this book. It’s a murder mystery, but also looks at 2 different families after tragedy strikes.
Olivia leaves her abusive husband in Boston with her son, Asher, and goes back to her family farm where she becomes a beekeeper like her father and they settle down into an uneventful life. When Asher is in high school, he meets a girl named Lily and they fall madly in love.
Unfortunately, Olivia gets a call saying that Lily is dead, she’s been murdered. She realizes that Asher will be questioned so she calls her brother, a hot shot defense attorney. Asher swears he didn’t do it, but Olivia worries that he inherited his fathers nasty temper. Will Olivia ever truly believe that Asher is innocent? Will it have to be proved to her?
There’s a lot of beekeeping information, which I found very interesting. I could see this putting some people off.
Of course, there is the Jodi Picoult twist, about which I can’t say anymore!

This is an outstanding book, 5 stars.

This is going to be a book where I can see people feeling strongly about it one way or another. This is a book were Jodi Picoult tackles another controversial issue. Overall the book is long, but provides a powerful story.

✨ Mad Honey ✨⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Olivia is living in her hometown, raising bees and her son- Asher after escaping an abusive husband twelve years before. Asher meets Lily- another only child of a single mother. The two soon fall in love and everything seems perfect… ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Then one day Olivia receives a panicked call. Lily is dead and Asher is being questioned by the police. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣This book covers just about every hot topic with a major focus on domestic abuse. At times, it was heartbreaking and inspirational and informative all at once. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣In the end, I liked this book a lot but it took me almost an entire month to read it. There was so much going on and it the plot seemed to drag a lot for me. Of course, I read it when I was incredibly busy- so it might have been a personal problem. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Four stars! I highly recommend this one- especially if you liked Jodi Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in return for my honest review. Mad Honey is out now!

Thank you to Random House Ballantine, Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan, and Netgalley for the digital arc of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Mad Honey centers around two single mothers, Olivia McAfee and Ava Campanello, both of whom have fled abusive husbands and are raising their teenage children on their own. Their children meet at school after Lily and her mother move to the small town of Adams, New Hampshire where Asher and his mother live. They are inseparable and happy and almost immediately fall in love. Until the day Lily is found dead. Is it an accident? Or is it murder?

When you begin Mad Honey you might think you already know the twist - that Lily is dead, when the book begins - but you are in for a few surprises. The book is told in two perspectives: Olivia's, which goes forward in time and Lily's, which moves in reverse. You might also think you know the basic story of the book, but at about the halfway point, you will be thrown for one of the biggest twists I've ever had the pleasure of reading, which will change everything you thought you knew about this story. You may not like it. Depending on your beliefs, you may hate it. But it's something we as a society need to address. This book is a difficult, heartwrenching read at times. One I'm grateful to have read.

This novel probably won't be for everyone due to the controversial issues contained within. I love, that like all of Jodi's novels, it's relevant to the world around us. I love that I learned something. I love knowing that authors got together to write Mad Honey because of a dream Jennifer Finney Boylan had. I love the bits of bees and beekeeping knowledge sprinkled throughout the book and how it connects the story. Most of all, I love that though I finished this book months ago, the story will stay with me for a long, long time. One of my top five books of the year.

Trigger warnings: this book has many triggers, including including spousal abuse, parental abuse, bullying, trauma, suicide (attempts), and possibly more that I haven't mentioned.

5 stars
Highly recommended for fans of:
Women's Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mysteries, Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQ+

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review an advanced readers copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.

I have to be honest, I was a little nervous to read this one. I've loved many of Picoult's books, but I really didn't enjoy her last one and was afraid that I wouldn't like this one either. However, I'm never going to turn down the opportunity to read her writing! And I'm really happy that I did because I liked this one so much more.

When I saw this was going to be a murder mystery, I was already intrigued. If you've read any books from Picoult already, you'll know that she's always touching on social and political issues with her writing. I was interested to see where this one would go. I've never read any of Boylan's books, but right from the start of Mad Honey I could tell her writing was beautiful. The Author's Note gave details on who wrote which chapters and Boylan's words were haunting and poetic. She really gave so much depth to the characters that kept me wanting to learn more.

This book is so incredibly heavy. I felt anxious when I wasn't reading it because I was thinking about what would happen next! There were a few slower points that I think could have been cut out to make the book a little shorter, but overall this was un-put downable.

I love Jodi Picoult books and Mad Honey is another great read by her. Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over, because her perfect life was forever changed when her husband revealed a darker side. She ends up back in her New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in and taking over her father’s beekeeping business. Lily Campanello and her mom relocate to Adams, New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start. These women's paths cross when Olivia's son Asher falls for Lily and she falls for him, too. Olivia receives a phone call: Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by the police. Olivia believes that her son is innocent. but she also knows that he has his father's violent temper. As Asher's murder trial continues, more secrets are revealed about Lily and Asher and their relationship. As with all Jodi Picoult books, there is a twist at the end that you do not see coming. It is a great read.

Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan teamed up to write this very fast paced beautifully written book. I was truly amazed that it was written by two authors.. being such a huge fan of JP and having read sooo many of her books I figured for sure I would be able to discern which author was writing which character’s part in the book.. but these two authors did an outstanding job of blending their writing styles to bring the readers a fast paced beautifully blended book. The book is on point with modern day topics, romance, courtroom drama, and full of twists and turns throughout! This book is not to be missed.. and will keep you up reading well beyond your bedtime to the very end!!!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I have been reading Jodi Picoult since she came out with My Sisters Keeper and this book took me back to those times. It was a page turner and I learned a lot about more than one different subject (can’t say much more without spoilers). I did find the multiple timelines and multiple narrators a bit confusing at times but it didn’t detract too much from the story.

** Excerpt from Tea Time With a Good Book an article written for a print publication called The Collinwood Chronicle in Cleveland, OH and distributed to the public. One of three books reccomended for the month of November.

Mad Honey, a new one from one of my favorite authors Jodi Picolti. She teams up with Jennifer Finney Boylan to bring us a story about family, first and longer loves, wrapping it in a legal fight for freedom. Since one of the narrator's (main character) is an apiarist (a beekeeper) there are all kinds of cool, unbelievable, and rich facts about bees in the book to make the facts interestingly intertwining within the plot.

As all Picolti's stories emerge and twist, characters deepen, and their backgrounds unfold, readers are presented with debatable topics, helping to open our eyes to the world around us. In this book we find brave people facing things many readers may not understand but, with the help of this book, may.

Added Notes about the Book: (not published, only on Goodreads)

In reading notes from the authors, included in the back, you read of how they both teamed up and wrote the book. And, from the good relationship they have with one another, the things both of them know as people, their life experiences, combined with the knowledge and skill the two have each in their own right as writers, when all of these is applied to a book, as Mad Honey was, it comes out as a superb read.

Although I have read Picolti in the past, and love all her novels from the first I read of hers (I Know This Much Is True, which is now a great series), I will say I set into her novels with the expectation that it will be good and that I will cry. I must admit I have yet to read Boylan. But, after this book, I must say, I had a good cry (but rather than all of it be saddness, there was some relief in it, another trick of Picolti's writing, not all her tears are of saddness) and, it makes me want to seek out Boylan's writing, knowing that she has enough skill as a writer that I will enjoy her reads.

As others have said in reviews, when you think of Picoult, you think of two things.

You are going to learn something, or it will be a controversial topic, or it will be BOTH.

She did not fail to disappoint because it was BOTH. Typical Picoult, right?

We are told the story of Oliva and Lily's lives, one being told going forward and one being told backward. (Olivia's will be said in the Present day, while Lily's will be described in reverse.)
The story is set in rural Adams, New Hampshire- told in dual points by Olivia -Asher McAfee's Mom, and Lily Campanella, Asher's girlfriend.

The story begins with Olivia escaping back to Adams, a homecoming for Olivia. Adams is where she was raised as she flees an abusive husband to raise her son in her family home and take over her father's beehives. Picoult spares no history or facts about the intricacies of caring for and raising bees. (If you were not interested in bees before, she tries to make sure you are now)

Then there's Lily, from the Northwest, who got bullied as a child, seeking out the nicer and calmer people of New Hampshire. She has also just moved to Adams to escape an abusive relationship. Lily (for once, feels accepted) in school, has made friends, and has fallen in love with a boy named Asher, who happens to be Olivia's son. Olivia is happy that her son is comfortable and has made a friend with Lily.

Then one day, Lily is found dead by Asher, and the police think he killed her. Olivia cannot believe that he would kill her.

Or could he be like his father?

Now I do not know about you, but even writing that I had to think, WTF!

As always, Picoult does what Picoult does best, takes you on this topsy-turvy judicial case to solve the crime.

Beyond that, she will give readers her Modus Operandi, "SHOCKER TWIST."

It has always annoyed me how Picoult has been able to finesse that web so finely and intricately and still shock the LIVING HELL OUT of ME!

How does she do that? She has had me baffled since the first book I ever read of hers.

However! After 27 Novels, one can firmly say she is the true definition of a "WORDSMITH."

Authentic and a Naturally Gifted Writer!

Picoult's creativity is undeniable, and she always finds a way to communicate her social or political point within her story subtext.

Picoult is Mastery at work and will be around for quite a while.

I cannot say I was an ardent fan of the actual book. However! It gets five stars just because it is Jodi Picoult.
What can I say? I'm Biased!

Her signature is Controversy.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Jodi Picoult/Jennifer Finney Boylan / Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this free eARC, An absolute pleasure. My opinions are of my own volition.

I was thrilled to see that Jodi Picoult wrote another novel. As someone who has devoured every word she has ever written, I was excited to see that she had another book coming out. And needless to say, Jodi Picoult does it again. "Mad Honey" was another one of her books that I couldn't put down.

The way Picoult creates characters, that even in their imperfections, are lovable and relatable, is what makes her books so riveting to me. This book follows the perspective of both Olivia and Lily - women whose lives are intertwined by Olivia's son and Lily's love, Asher. Not only do you get a love story in this book, you get a book that dives into current issues exploring gender identity and sexual identity, and like all Picoult books, the tie-in to learn about honey was fascinating. I sometimes don't know how Picoult does it all in her books: to make me feel like I've learned some practical tidbits about a topic I had no idea about previously (i.e. beekeeping in this case), makes me think deeply and reflect on the identities that we hold, keeps me on my toes with the suspense, and also moves me to tears.

Thank you Jodi Picoult for another outstanding novel. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the Advance Review Copy.

I've enjoyed Jodi Picoult books in the past, but have never heard of Jennifer Finney Boylan until now. I really enjoyed the way these two women wrote this book, which is about our justice system and relevant topics today. The story is told from a transgender teen before he dies and the mother of the accused murder. They also have a subplot about bees and honey, which I found interesting. If you're looking for a good read that touches on many topics that are in the news today (abortion, LGBTQ, etc.) then I highly recommend this book.

This was a very enjoyable book about a beekeeper, her son who is in trouble, and his girlfriend. In the past, I’ve finished only one Picoult book. This one, however, held my interest throughout, despite its length of over 400 pages. Picoult’s books are about events or issues in our society. This one holds true.

There are recipes at the end of the book. In addition, the two authors tell how and why they decided to co-author this story.

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.

🐝🍯 Book Review 🍯🐝

#madhoney
#NetGalley published 10/4/2022
#jodipicoult
#jenniferfinneyboylan
#ballantinebooks
#generalfiction

🍯🍯🍯🐝/5 (rounding up to 4 for ratings)

This is just my 2nd JP book so far. JP and her partner for this book, JFB, just did not hit it out of the park this time like she did with my first of hers. I'm not really sure why. It was quick easy reading. It had a big twist about halfway through. Between Liv's past with domestic violence and Lily's secret, the story seemed to have too much going on. It pulled the story in 2 directions. It almost seemed like Liv's past was SUPPOSED TO help us commiserate with Lily's. But their pasts are very different.

I know this was probably not going to be a popular opinion. Let me know if you thought differently about this one.

#randomhousepublishing
#literaryfiction
#womensfiction (I hate that genre name!)
#arcreview
#bookstagram #booknerds #bookreview

I was sold at the description of "Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves." I've loved Jodi Picoult books for 20 years now because of her writing style and way she writes about moral and complex issues. This book made me think of the older Jodi Picoult books and what made me fall in love with her books as a reader.

This is such a complex book and while I didn't love the ending, this was a captivating and really makes you think.

Two best selling authors co-wrote this intriguing novel about love, acceptance and starting over.

Olivia is married to a successful surgeon and raising her son Asher in Boston when her husband’s dark side forces her to move back home. Now she’s forging a life for herself and Asher in a quiet New Hampshire town while working in the family beekeeping business. Lily and her mother, Ava, move to New Hampshire for Lily’s senior year. Their paths intersect when Asher begins dating Lily, the new girl in town. Lily feels happier than any other time in her life but hesitates to share all her secrets with Asher.

A suspenseful novel about falling in love, keeping secrets and finding your true self. Mad Honey is equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Mad Honey is co-authored by Jodi Picoult and Jenifer Finney Boylan. Olivia McAfee has carefully crafted a new life for herself after being trapped in an abusive marriage. She moved to New Hampshire from Boston to become the full-time beekeeper of her family's farm, after her father passes away. It is the best way for her start over. Her son, Asher, flourishes in the environment, until he is accused of murdering his girlfriend, his senior year in high school. Olivia's world begins to fall apart as she wonders if her son has a secret side to him, just like her ex-husband. Olivia's brother Jordan is an attorney he defends Asher at trial. Asher's girlfriend, Lily, has her own secrets about the story of her father and why she and her mom moved to New Hampshire from California for Lily's last year in high school. The story is told from different points of view and the timeline is varied between past and present in order for the story to unfold. Like most of Jodi Picoult's books, much research has been done about the topics in order for the book to be believable, including weaving through the story the culture of bees and beekeeping. The story is told seamlessly in that it is not apparent which author wrote which portions of the book. This another fantastic book which does eventually explain its title, too. Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review Mad Honey.

This book made me feel so many things. A gripping, emotional, eye opening story that I couldn’t put down.