books about fame can be quite tricky. in my opinion, they have a strong inclination to blur together. Which is what happened with Honey. I couldn't help but think, "I've read this before". Nothing particularly new was added to the conversation and that's such a shame. Especially when they compared this to "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy in the synopsis. That doesn't mean there's anything particularly bad about this book, per say. It just wasn't interesting

Such a good book and such a wonderful author! I loved all the early 2000s themes and how we view them from the rearview mirror. Would read anything she writes!

As someone who grew up in the 90s and 2000s, I was really excited to read this book. It was very nostalgic for me, and I found I could make comparisons to pop stars like Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, and Christina Aguilera. The story felt very realistic to me, especially with what female popstars had to deal with during that time period. I found myself relating to a lot of the content.

With all of that said, I didn't necessarily feel any sort of emotional connection with the characters. While I thought the writing was good, the pacing and plot felt a little inconsistent. I found myself losing interest at times.

Overall, it was a decent read that touched on many themes with a nostalgic feel.

Rating: 3.5

This fell so flat for what it promised. Even when it was a story about a popstar it felt like there was no excitment or gravitas in her life. Also, maybe just a me thing, but I am never really a huge fan of when books about musicans or bands include the lyrics to the characters songs. They tend to just come off as cheesy and bad despite us being led to believe that they are hit songs.

Gives all the Britney Spears / early 2000s pop music vibes! I loved the story and how we see Amber Young struggle with fame and the opinion of others around her. I think this book tackles a lot of tough subjects, and it was so engrossing.

Honey is a bold, emotionally charged debut that dives into the glittering yet brutal world of late-90s and early-2000s pop stardom. It follows Amber Young, a small-town girl whose raw talent propels her into the heart of the music industry, where she faces fame, betrayal, and the cost of being seen.

While the premise is compelling and the themes—fame, identity, and exploitation—are timely and powerful, I found it difficult to connect with the characters. The emotional distance and graphic content made it hard for me to stay engaged, and I ultimately didn’t finish the book.

That said, readers who enjoy dark, unflinching portrayals of celebrity culture may find it a worthwhile read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Honey by Isabel Banta in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I was super excited to read this as it sounded so fun and entertaining however about half way through the book I was bored and wanted to quit. I did finish it but found it to be a long, tough read.

The cover implies 2000s bubblegum, but this is both glittery and dark at the same time. Set in the early 2000s music scene, it follows a rising teen idol caught in a deeply toxic industry, trying to untangle fame, girlhood and control. It's deeply emotional and worth a read for anyone who came of age during this time period.

A coming-of-age story that follows the meteoric rise of singer Amber Young as she navigates fame in the late-90s and early-2000s era of pop music superstardom

A solid book about the uphill climb of fame. I love a good Y2K period piece, and this book did not disappoint. A very riveting narrative.

I saw a review that called this book the love child of Britney Spears memoir and Daisy Jones and the Six, which immediately captured my attention!
Loved the vibe of this being a fictionalized story but set in a world/atmosphere we know so well that it almost felt real. I kept wanting to google the characters to see their pictures or listen to their music.
This being said, I found the ending rather rushed. I wish that we could have had a more true closure on certain plotlines rather than the article summary, it felt like how old TV shows and movies would have a brief 'where are they now' moment at the end credits.
While I am glad to have read this, I do think that it will be one that is ultimately middle tier and forgettable in the long run, but I am excited to see what else Banta puts out!

I thought I was really going to like this book but it fell flat for me. I was so intrigued by the premise but the execution was lacking for me. I didn’t connect to the characters or feel that they had much depth.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book! At this time I will not be reading or reviewing. I will update if I do read in the future!

This is a captivating and deeply immersive coming-of-age story that transports readers straight into the glittering, yet often brutal, world of late 90s and early 2000s pop superstardom. Following the meteoric rise of singer Amber Young, this novel offers a compelling look at fame, self-discovery, and the intense pressures faced by young women in the spotlight.

Isabel Banta's writing is truly beautiful and evocative, making Amber's journey feel incredibly real and personal. I was completely drawn into her experiences as she navigates the complexities of the music industry, from the exhilarating highs of success to the harsh realities of objectification and exploitation. The novel thoughtfully explores themes of identity, agency, and the contradictory standards placed upon female artists, all while delivering a strong sense of nostalgia for the era.

While some aspects of the plot felt a touch unresolved, potentially hinting at future stories, the vivid characterization and the unflinching portrayal of the industry's darker side made this a truly engaging read. Fans of "Daisy Jones & The Six" or those interested in the real stories behind pop icons like Britney Spears will find "Honey" to be a compelling and insightful addition to their reading list. It's a powerful and memorable debut that I highly recommend!

I definitely read this story through early-00s-pop-music-obsessed lenses, but that’s okay with me! This felt like a more grown up version of Pop Princess by Rachel Cohn, which was messy as heck and I loved it in seventh grade. Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I am working through my backlog, and will be momentarily posting reviews for the stories I have yet to get posted but have finished reading.

a nostalgic, sultry look at the y2k pop movement. amber is such a complex and likeable protagonist, and i really enjoyed the formatting and how it leaned into that parasocial connection we have with artists.

Honey is a fantastic look into the life of a pop star. Amber Young starts out as part of a pop star girl group, and then breaks out onto her own. This story recounts her life from that point, how she got there and where she wants to go. I was so invested in the story, and I think it also really helped that I ended up reading the book on audio at the same time as reading an e-book. While I wasn’t necessarily feeling connected to Amber or any of the other characters in the book, it kept my attention and brought me back to the 90’s-2000s to reminisce.
Thank you to Celadon Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

“I think parents can affect us without intending to. By being bad examples, they end up helping us. They show us what not to do.”

“...I finally grasp it - I am inside of my life. This is not a costume I am trying on, this is the skin.”


I had so much hope for this one but a lot of the plot felt unfinished. This was my first read by the author. I got this as the book of the month read as well.

This book just gives complete female rage, desire, and identity but whisper-shouts self-destruction and performance too. It’s all about the masks we wear, the hunger we chase, and the pain we romanticize. Honey wants to be seen but not known, touched but not held. And that contradiction defines the heart of the book. All of our wants of not wanting to be perceived but wanting to be loved entirely.

It’s giving Daisy Jones and the Six and Britney Spears’ memoir. I can’t believe this was their first book.