I usually don't bother to even read the blurb if I see Jodi Picoult's name, and Mad Honey is no exception. As usual, an excellent choice.

The moms, Olivia and Ava, have both had rough relationships and broken marriages. For different reasons, they end up in a small town in New Hampshire.

Olivia's son, Asher, and Ava's daughter, Lily end up in a relationship. When Lily ends up dead, Asher is accused of murder.

That's the short story, but of course, there is much more. Asher's father was abusive and Olivia watches his every move wondering if Asher will show violent tendencies. She has doubts about his innocence.

Lily was born Liam, and maybe that's a spoiler, but if you know Jennifer Finney Boylan, it's not that much of a spoiler. So did Asher know she was trans? Is that why he killed her?

Picoult writes from the perspective of Olivia and Boylan writes Lily's part. The writing is seamless, and I didn't even realize that fact until I read the afterward. Lily's story gave me such a new perspective on gender identity. That was a big takeaway from Mad Honey for me. Another takeaway is a lot about beekeeping, which is Olivia's occupation. Fascinating. And, as a side note, Queen Elizabeth II died while I was reading Mad Honey, and I read an article about how the Queen's beekeeper had to tell the bees that she died. (You'll get it when you read the book.)

The story is gripping and it's been so long since I read a book during which I decided to give up doing something else to read. Lately, it's been the other way around. Mad Honey is a great love story, a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and a family story. I loved it and highly recommend it.

This book began as a dream that one of the authors had during the pandemic. When Ms. Boylan told Ms. Picoult of her dream, she jumped right on board to write this wonderful story. During their writing, they never met. And yet, the chapters are seamless; one never knows who wrote the different parts.
The story has many layers. Without giving too much away, it deals with people's acceptance for who they are and who they choose to be. It also deals with spousal abuse and lastly it deals with behavior being the result of nature vs. nurture.
The enormous amount of research that went into the writing of, "Mad Honey", is quite evident., as in all of Ms. Picoult's books. Unfortunately, I'm not as familiar with Ms. Boylan's books. But, hope to rectify that after reading this novel.
"Mad Honey", gives one a great deal to think about afterwards. And is quite informative on several subjects. It is one terrific read, and I highly recommend it.

This was definitely an intriguing book that makes you think about things in a different way.
Olivia and her son Asher were forced to flee from her abusive ex-husband. She ends up in her hometown, Adams, New Hampshire, and is now living at her childhood home taking care of the beehives that were once her mother's. You learn a lot about bees, hives, and honey harvesting in this book. I found it fascinating.

Lily and her mother Ava are new to Adams and have started over for different reasons. Lily and Asher end up in a relationship together. But then Lily is found dead... by Asher. Since he was the only one with Lily near the time of her death, he is accused of her murder.

The story is told from Olivia's POV, as well as Lily's. Lily's POV was a little confusing since hers goes back in time. Both POV's give perspective of these women's lives before they ended up in Adams, so you get a good understanding of who they are and why they were both fleeing their past.

I didn't expect the twist that happens in this book. It was very interesting and gives you an education, including accepting everyone for WHO they are and not WHAT they are.

I’m always a little leery when a known author partners up with someone else. Is it the start of a James Patterson money grab? But no worries here. As told in the Authors’ Note, the idea was actually Boylan’s idea.
This story is about identity, abuse and starting over. Olivia leaves her abusive surgeon husband and moves to New Hampshire with her son. She moves into her parents’ house and takes over her dad’s apiary. Lily’s mom leaves her husband who has been emotionally abusive of Lily. They move from the west coast to the same small NH town. Things seem to be going really well as Olivia’s son, Asher, and Lily become romantically involved. And then Olivia gets a call that Asher is at the police station and Lily is dead. At the beginning, I was worried this was going to be more of a straight mystery, but it’s not. The time frame goes back and forth, before and after Lily’s death. At times, this gets a bit confusing as Lily’s story is told in reverse. But I loved the story’s message and how it deals with identity - how we see ourselves and what it means to truly see someone else. It also deals with trust.
As with Picoult’s other books, there are ample facts sprinkled into the story. Often, they’re about beekeeping. But Picoult also uses Lily’s love of facts and list making to throw additional facts in concerning all sorts of sundry items.
I adored each of the main characters and have a true book hangover ER now that it’s over. Like Boylan writes in her note, I wasn’t ready to walk away from them.
My thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book.

Note - I just heard on the news that the Royal Beekeeper informed the bees of the Queen’s death.

JODI PICOULT IS SO AMAZING! This was unputtdownable!! A courtroom and legal thriller with a huge twist you won't see coming! (Don't read the authors note at the end to avoid spoilers.) Picoult and Boylan made a great team, it felt like one author and one voice the whole time.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

When Olivia receives a phone call from the police station, she is shocked to hear that it is her 18 year old son Asher, stating that he "thinks Lily [his gf] is dead". Olivia knows her son didn't kill his girlfriend, but does she? His own father was abusive to her, causing them to leave - could he have inherited his father's anger? She isn't sure? There are definitely doubts in her mind.

This is a legal/domestic thriller at its best. This novel is beautifully written and covers so many difficult topics in such easy and approachable ways. I particularly enjoyed the comparison of cisgender and transgender to being right or left handed. What a great analogy!

This novel is beautifully written. I was so invested in the story and could not wait to find out what happened with Asher's trial. It may just be my favorite read in 2022 so far!

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, NetGalley, and authors Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jodi Picoult writes about the hard stuff. If you don't like it then maybe you needed to read it. This book was wonderful. While I might not agree with everything written it, it was eye opening and makes me think about what it feels like to be in these situations. The characters are likeable. The book had a great storyline with a few twists.
This story brings light to transgender issues, as well as broken justice systems. It was true to Picoult's writing in that I learned a lot about something while reading the book. I enjoyed having the different timelines and viewpoints of the story.
My heart breaks for Olivia. It is so hard to not be able to help your child when they are struggling through something difficult. The world needs more Ashers and people who are open minded to others needs. The world needs more Avas that are willing to accept their children for what they want to be.
Thank you for writing this book for all to read. Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to do an advanced read.

This premise of the book is what made me want to read it. A murder trial where the boyfriend is being accused of killing his girlfriend? Yes please! However, this book is so much more. It explores how deep love can be, it exhibits strength, it’s about survival and courage, and it’s about justice. This book is brilliant and one that everyone needs to read – it may help open some people’s minds and learn to love others for who they are. That’s the biggest lesson of this book – acceptance. On top of all of that, it also included a twist at the end that many won’t see coming – though I had my suspicions. Overall, I think this is a must read and those of enjoy Jodi Picoult books will definitely enjoy this one.

Dnf at 54%
Started out strong so I’m giving it 2 stars…
The author started throwing in all sorts of current issues with sexual gender, etc…
Just not a book for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the ARC

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book!

Jodi’s books are always filled with controversy and this one was no exception. I actually was so enthralled the first half and couldn’t put it down. But about halfway when the “twist” was introduced, it just became too much and I finished it half heartedly.

SPOILERS (though they are unavoidable to critique this novel)

I appreciated that this was essentially a primer on trans issues for those who are unfamiliar, but it still (despite having a trans co-author) felt kind of icky to have a trans character's gender used as a plot twist. It was reductive and felt dated. It's not as offensive as in movies like The Crying Game or Ace Ventura, but it also is used throughout the second half of the novel as the ONLY defining trait many of the characters see in the trans character. The authors worked hard to fully flesh out this character, and they did but.... she's still dead (except in flashbacks) for the whole novel.

Also? SO NEEDLESSLY LONG! This needed some heavy editing and streamlining.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I had a hard time with this one. And I almost stopped when the "big secret" was revealed at about the halfway point! But I stuck with it and I am glad I did.

Lily is hiding a lot of secrets when she starts her Senior year of high school as the new girl in town. She quickly meets Asher, a star on the hockey team, and they fall in love as only high schoolers can, quickly and deeply. But then Lily dies and Asher is found with her body and is covered with her blood, with no explanation except that he found her at the bottom of the stairs and has been trying to revive her.

The two had been fighting, and had not talked to each other for a week before her death, so suspicion falls on Asher and he is arrested for her murder. His mother, the victim of domestic abuse by his father, believes her son to be innocent, but she always believed his father, too, even as he assaulted her.

The trial brings out the best and the worst in everyone involved and the secrets revealed are not easy to take sometimes.

I did not see the ending coming and that made me glad I stuck it out to the end.

Mad Honey is a term I was unfamiliar with prior to reading this book, but it is a fitting title for this captivating story. This is one of the best books I've read all year, and if you're a Jodi Picoult fan, be sure to check this one out! I've never read any of Jennifer Finney Boylan's work before, but now I definitely want to. The authors have a way of handling touchy subjects with poise and a way of educating the reader without you feeling like you're a moron for not knowing anything. This one is definitely worth reading, especially given the subject matter.

Olivia McAfee and her son Asher can finally breathe. Having left her abusive husband to help continue the family beekeeping business, she knows life might not be easy, but she and her son will be safe and taken care of.

All seems peaceful and easy in their quaint New Hampshire town until one phone call changes everything. Asher's girlfriend is dead, and he was the one who found her. After being questioned by the police and subsequentially charged with murder, Olivia and Asher set off on a journey neither had expected nor prepared for.

A story of family bonding, tough love, and seeking the truth, Mad Honey is a reader's delight. Strong characters and an interesting plot line had me flipping pages until the very end. This one is destined to be a bestseller!

This story slayed me; my heart was bleeding to death as I read. Asher is the age of my own son now, and the beginning of the story gave me all the feels, or so I thought. About halfway through I got slammed with the truth, and I’ll never be the same.
Love and hate and misunderstandings and cruelty and compassion wrapped around a murder and the right to be who you are. Full of heart and heart shattering all at once, Picoult & Boylan’s seamless collaboration is simply magnificent.
In true Picoult form, this story seeks to bring people together in spite of the “knots that society tangles itself in” and the ways in which it separates one from another. I am always just a bit wiser after reading one of her books, whether with, in this case, bee facts, or what I’ve experienced through the interconnected lives of those she writes about. This story is timely and necessary. It’s very fabric begs you to open your minds and hearts and find compassion for those around you. I finished reading this for a few days and it’s still with me on a visceral, emotional level. As Picoult so wisely puts it, “Sometimes making the world a better place just involves creating space for the people who are already in it.”

Jodi Picoult is known for writing books about relevant and current social subjects. Mad Honey is a collaboration with Jennifer Finney Boylan. This novel deals with spousal abuse, single motherhood, teenage angst, transgender issues and a murder trial. That's a lot of themes, but the authors make the story come together that it flows beautifully. The characters are multi-dimensional. Due to the subject matter, there are parts of the book that are difficult to read. The novel does not disappoint and has some twists that will keep the reader engaged. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I haven't read a book by Picoult in years and this one was grabbed my attention from the first page. The story about is told in past (Lily's POV) and present (Olivia's POV). There's so much to unpack in this story from domestic abuse, single parenthood, first love and so much more. I wanted to know what was Lily's secret and it shocked me. I loved Olivia's POV and how her story was so involved with the bees.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book.

Let me start by simply saying I really enjoyed “Mad Honey” by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. I went into this expecting a good suspense mystery but this book ended up being that and so much more. A beautifully written story love, loss and survival in all their many different forms. There were twists I genuinely did not see coming, leaving me with the same feelings as those in the book. I loved the interspersed information about beekeeping and learned a lot about several other subjects covered in this book (no spoilers). I can tell this is a story that will stay with me for a long time, which to me is the mark of a well told story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

Jodi's back, baby!! I know this is a collaboration between her & Jennifer Finney Boylan, but reading this, I felt like I was coming home to Jodi Picoult's particular brand of thought-provoking, conviction-inducing storytelling that I had fallen in love with over the course of reading her body of work & had felt somewhat missing from her last couple of novels. This book is an important read for the times in which we live and I'd recommend anyone to grab this when it hits the shelves/ interwebs in just a few weeks, on October 4th!

*Thanks to Random House/ Ballantine & NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

How remarkable is this? Jennifer Finney Boylan says in the Authors' Notes that she woke from a strange dream in which she was writing a novel with author Jodi Picoult, an author she admired but had never met. There were three characters in the story: a trans girl who died; her boyfriend who was accused of killing her; and the boy's mother who was torn by doubts. When Jenny posted about her dream on Twitter, Jodi connected with her, wanting to know more, and eventually tweeted back, LET'S DO IT!

The novel is quite cleverly constructed. One point of view is Lily's and explores what she has gone through as a trans girl. Her story is told backwards, starting with just before she is murdered and going back over the weeks preceding. The book begins with a quote from Soren Kierkegaard: 'Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards,' and the authors explore that idea here.

The other part of the story is told from Olivia's point of view--her son Asher is accused of Lily's murder. She was an abused wife and now wonders if Asher has inherited some of his father's propensity for violence against women as she sits through his trial.

Lily, a talented cello player, mentions the album Songs from the Arc of Life performed by Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott. Here they are performing The Swan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qrKj.... She is also on the school's fencing team and is knowledgeable about many topics. Asher is captain of the high school's hockey team and professes to love Lily for who she is. After returning home to Adams, New Hampshire following her divorce, Olivia is carrying on her family's business and quite a bit of the novel is devoted to details about bees and beekeeping. Several recipes using honey are included. What is 'mad honey,' you might ask? It apparently comes from bees that forage on rhododendrons and mountain laurel and is full of poisonous toxins.

I applaud any book that seeks to further our understanding of the human condition in its myriad forms. I believe the authors have done an admirable job here with transgender issues. Lily's story is heartbreaking: what she has had to go through just to be herself. The resolution of the mystery is quite shocking and sad--a twist I didn't see coming.

I received an arc of this novel from the authors and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.