This book immediately hooked me and I wanted to know what really happened to Lily. I really enjoyed learning more about Olivia and Lily, as well as their pasts, as the story went on. I learned so much too from both of them. I would highly recommend this book.

I will read anything that Jodi Piccoult writes! She has a way of entertaining and educating the reader at the same time. Beautifully written. Terrific character portrayal. Sorry when it ended!! Thank you for letting me read it!!

This is a powerful story of two families like no other. It’s about honey and bees, romantic relationships, and issues that are rarely discussed. It starts in 2018 and takes place in a small town of New Hampshire where it’s usually quiet in neighborhoods with kids playing in the fields.

Olivia is a beekeeper raising her son, Asher. He meets the new girl in town, Lily, at his High School and they quickly fall for each other. Lily’s mom, Ava, is raising her daughter on her own. The reader gets a glimpse of their lives and as the book progresses, one finds out more. The chapters go back and forth in time with perspectives from Olivia and Lily. The authors carefully crafted continued suspense.

There were many times that I would pause for words that couldn’t be clearer. Lilly who had just moved with her mom across the country said, “If you get to do anything at all on earth, it’s live your own life, not some sort of ghost version of somebody else’s.” I only wish someone said this to me when I was her age.

Two authors created this masterpiece; both successful. However, each remarked about how they had to release their own sense of control to do this project together. To me it was like one person pieced together this incredible soulful story. It was emotional and complex with so much to comprehend.

My thanks to Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of October 4, 2022.

I appreciated getting the opportunity to read an advance copy of this latest book by Jodi Picoult and her co-author Jennifer Finney Boylan. I was happy to have this introduction to Boylan, as the book was very well-written and they must have done a great job collaborating, since it appeared to be written by one person.

This would be a perfect book for book discussion groups since it covers many big issues. Although I didn't enjoy reading about some of the terrible, violent events in the book, I still was glad to have read it. Unlike many other readers, I was bored by the detailed descriptions of beekeeping, but it was easy to skim through them. I was very surprised by some of the revelations in the book, but I don't want to spoil it for others. Suffice it to say that the book went in an unexpected direction, and I appreciated learning about the subject.

I hope other readers don't read too much about the book ahead of time so that they can enjoy the surprises. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this thought-provoking book.

Powerful, intense, informative, engaging, compelling, and suspenseful are all words that I would use to describe this can't put down novel. I have read several books by Jodi Picoult before and my jaw always drops at some point in the novel when I am absolutely stunned at the twist. This book was no exception.

There are two voices in this novel, Oliva and Lily. Olivia is the mother of Asher. She is from a small town in New Hamshire and she is a bee keeper. Lily, a teenager in highschool has recently moved to New Hampshire and has fallen madly in love with Asher. Both are keeping secrets from the ones they love and are trying to escape things in their past. Then one day Lily is found dead and Asher is accused of murdering her. What follows is a novel filled with twists and turns in a quest to find out the truth.

I do not want to give anything away but I found this book informative and not just the parts about bees. It really helped to open my eyes which is why reading a great book can be so transformative. I did not want to stop reading this because I had to know how it ended. A very moving and powerful book!

I received this arc in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Random house for this advance copy.

I just reviewed Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult; Jennifer Finney Boylan. #MadHoney

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published October 4, 2022.

I’ve been a fan of Jodi Picoult’s book for decades, and this book does not disappoint. Even though it was a collaboration with Jennifer Finney Boylan the construction is seamless. (Be sure to read the Author’s Notes at the end to learn how this partnership started and who wrote what…)

Without revealing any spoilers (of which there are many), this book tackles two important topics and is told against a setting of bees! As with all JP books she does her research! 🐝

The plot begins with 2 moms and 2 teenagers. Told in alternating points of view and in non-chronological order, we learn about a death. Much of the book is set in a courtroom where you can’t help believing what each side presents.

Put this at the top of your To Read list come October!

“Mad honey comes from bees that forage on rhododendrons and mountain laurel , and it is full of poisonous grayanotoxins…”It can cause hallucinations and other psychiatric effects.” It’s a darker color but it looks like all honey. Mad honey causes changes. So do love, passion, violence, secrets and lies. Mad Honey, by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan, is full of all these.

Two single mothers, Ava Campanella and her daughter Lily and Olivia McAfee and her son Asher, have relocated to Adams, New Hampshire for deeply personal reasons. Hockey star Asher and quirky, intelligent Lily fall in love. When Lily is found after a fall with Asher cradling her dead body, he is arrested for her murder.

Without spoilers, that is a simple description of plot. What is left out is what makes Mad Honey compelling, incredibly moving, suspenseful and informative. Buy two copies of this book - one for you and one for a friend so you’ll have someone to talk to. Recommend it to your book club. It will be a memorable discussion. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan for this ARC.

I loved 99% of this book so much. My knowledge of transgender women and men was expanded by beautifully written paragraphs and meaningful character conversations. Getting to understand the lives of bees was fascinating in its own right as well. I wanted this book to go on much longer, and I want to read it again already to absorb more of the beautifully written language. The only thing that threw me was the very end (chapter before the epilogue) - did it really need that kind of resolution? It seemed like a cheap throw away. I would have been happier to leave something to my own imagination. (Those who have read the book will know what I'm talking about- the strange confession that was very out of place). Otherwise, a perfectly wonderful book.

About this book Jodi Picoult says "I'd like you to give-a chance, a thought, a damn" This book is needed right now and everybody should read it. It is heartbreakingly beautiful and at times, hard to read. In the end I gave -a chance, a thought, a damn and so much more. I hope this book makes people realize love is love.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I will NEVER turn down the opportunity to read a Picoult early! In true fashion for Picoult, she tackles a relevant controversial issue while bringing you to tears at the same time. This one follows two single mothers trying to do their best when both of their lives turn for the worse. Trigger warning: domestic abuse. Picoult readers will love it as usual. Also, the twist at the end had me gasping! I never saw it coming!

Mad Honey is one maddening sweet novel that leaves you perplexed but yet satisfied. Once again Jodi Picoult brings a topic that is currently visible in our society and together with Jennifer Boylan explains it from the viewpoint of the transgender individuals brilliantly. Reading backwards was a challenge because I wanted to see the future not the past, but the suspense involved with the death and the murder trial was enormous. All the information about beekeeping was very educational and typical of a Jodi Picoult novel. She always educates in her fiction but not until the superb ending did I realize the great significance.

Realistic YA & Adult Fiction. Lily has just relocated to a new town where she meets Asher, who is also a senior attending her high school. They begin a romantic relationship almost immediately. These teens have similar pasts as far as fathers go; both are being raised as only children by single mothers. Lily and her mother had hoped to start over in this new town until the unthinkable happens; Lily is found dead and her boyfriend, Asher, is the prime suspect. Asher's mother, Olivia, proclaims that her son is not only innocent but incapable of hurting another, much less murdering someone. But Olivia harbors a small seed of doubt about Asher's innocence because her own marriage was not as perfect as it appeared to be. This is an emotional and timely story that explores the complexity of love and relationships and how secrets can impact both. Picoult and Boylan keep readers spellbound throughout the novel! Their writing styles meshed beautifully and the overall story is truly spectacular.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e ARC of this book.
Great read from Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. This book definitely is cowritten. The authors explained their process which I found very interesting..
Deals with family, children, love, relationships. And the big social issue-transgender people. Educational and enlightening. Brings to the forefront an issue that we, as a society, do not seem to be dealing with well. Boylan is a transgendered person so brings real knowledge to the table.
Well developed characters,great information about beekeeping, a plot you never saw coming. Reads amazingly well for a book with two authors.

4.5 stars

I cannot praise this book enough! Sensitive subjects handled so beautifully yet realistically. I read and savored every word. It is an unforgettable novel of love, and knowing oneself. Olivia is a beekeeper and I very much enjoyed learning about bees and harvesting honey. Olivia is divorced, lives with her teenage son who is on trial for murdering his girlfriend. The story is just so beautifully written and the story has stayed with me. I highly recommend this novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was an intense read as well as an intellectual experience. The plot and the characters held my attention but at times it became "preachy." The best parts for me were the courtroom scenes and wonderful descriptions of bee keeping.

Jodi Picoult, does it again. MAD HONEY is a wonderfully written, beautiful story.
This book kept me constantly engaged, wanting more, had me breathing in this story like fresh air.
The writing is just steller, the characters complex and real.
I found myself utterly drawn in by the story. It was layered very well. The plot phenomenal.
This is easily my new favorite Jodi Picoult book.

Ballantine,
Thank You for this approved eARC!

I read this book in 2 days! It follows a similar to format to all of Picoult's previous novels that I've read. Not to give away any spoilers, but the twist that came about a third of the way through was one I didn't really see coming but then it helped to fully develop the remainder of the story. I liked the characters, and found the reverse storytelling of Lily's life to be a perfect device for this book. I was not particularly fond of the long passages about bees, and often found myself skimming through them. Also, I predicted the two developments from the end of the novel - possibly because I've read so many of Picoult's other novels, or else because it was just that predictable. All in all, a decent read. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC!

I typically love Jodi Picoult's books. She creates memorable characters who are embroiled in current social issues. This book certainly lives up to her reputation, but I didn't love it. Frankly, I am tired of having the whole transgender issue flaunted in the media. I especially find it distressing when children are involved. Maybe I am old fashioned, but I think some decisions should not be made until an individual is much older. I won't be recommending this book.

Mad Honey
By Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

This is is perhaps the easiest yet most difficult review I have had to write to date. Easy as the superlatives are all there. It was an easy book to read, even for someone who doesn’t like chapters that jump backwards and forwards in time. The character development is well done without being tedious and is appropriately engaging. The hard part is not letting any spoilers intrude in the review. You will just have to trust me that Jodi and Jennifer do not disappoint and this is as good as they have written. You will have your eyes opened, you will, or should, learn a lot and walk away thanking the authors. I will tell you a little snippet of what you will learn. You will learn a lot about bees and honey. I am going out and buying some now so I can try the recipes they added at the end of the book.
Bon Appetit.
I thank the authors, the publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my review.

Jodi Picoult has a knack for creating characters and storylines that keep you thinking, long after you have finished the book. A small-town tragedy becomes a mother's worst nightmare when her son is accused of murdering his girlfriend. Shunned by neighbors and friends, a mother must do whatever it takes to save her son. This book was a roller coaster of emotions-heartbreaking, haunting, uplifting, and I would highly recommend it!