Definitely an interesting read. I loved the characters and the plot, and the questions it poses about technology, identity, and our perceptions of other people are timely. I would give it a higher rating, but there's something about the actual prose that didn't do it for me. It felt kind of clinical? I wasn't able to fully immerse myself in the world on the pages or emotionally connect. I'm not saying it was written badly, just that it didn't suit my personal taste.

I don't read a lot of poetry, but I really loved Life of the Party so when I saw that Olivia Gatwood had a novel being published I could not wait (especially after I saw that cover!)! I was so excited to get an advanced copy of the e-book. I want to start by saying that if you are not okay with ambiguous, open ended books this is probably not for you. I could have read so much more about these characters and their stories, BUT I still really enjoyed the book and I can appreciate not knowing all the answers. I will definitely be thinking about these characters for a long time and I think I probably wouldn't feel that way as much if it was tied up perfectly. This was a really fun, weird, little plot/mostly vibes book and I highly recommend it, but it won't be for everyone.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was drawn to this book by the amazing cover and I am pleased I was. I enjoyed the characters of Mitty and Bethel as they interacted with their new neighbours Lena and Sebastian.
The concept makes for an engaging story even though it slowed in places, the people interested me enough to want to see where it was going.
A well written tale of our times.

This book feels like an answer to several other books I've read this year leaving me a little hollow and wanting more. If I'd had a physical copy of this book, it would have been marked up to high heaven. It is obvious, in a good way, that the author is a poet. Her gorgeous and thoughtful writing is what keeps you engaged through a rough first 30 or so pages.

This book is dystopian in premise, but literary in execution. The dystopian nature serves as the backdrop rather than a function of the story and somethign to be solved. The focus is entirely on our two protagonists, Mitty and Lena, as we dive into questions of what it means to be human, of loneliness, longing, and belonging.

Mitty lives in a bungalow in dystopia Santa Cruz, wasting her life away as companion to her mother's friend Bethel. As we come to find out why Mitty has been exiled from her old life and stuck with Bethel, we learn just how deep Mitty's longing goes. When you've never felt like you've belonged anywhere, what do you do when the one place you though you belonged rejects you?

On the other hand, Lena doesn't remember anything before she met her tech bro boyfriend, Sebastian. The more time Lena spends with Mitty, the more she realizes just how much she's missing from her life -- until she's driven mad by the ultimate question: Exactly who am I, and why am I here?

The friendship that grows between the two is tentative, cautious, and wonderfully human. Lena finds someone she can trust in Mitty, and Mitty finds a reason to challenge her depressing life in Lena. Together, the two are given the courage to face the largest questions overwhelming their lives.

This is a great first novel offering by the author, and I look forward to what else she has in mind.

Whoever You Are, Honey occurs in modern-day Santa Cruz, California. Mitty has lived with Bethel, an elderly family friend, in a ramshackle bungalow by the sea since she was a teenager. They are surrounded by tech money as Silicon Valley and its wealth slowly encroaches. When their new neighbours, Lena and Sebastian move in, Mitty finds a much-needed friend in Lena. Bethel and Mitty worry about beautiful Lena who, on the surface, has the perfect relationship but seems to be losing her grip on reality.

I really enjoyed this book. Gatwood is a poet and this is her first novel. I hope she writes many more.

Thanks to #netgalley and Random House for this ARC.

I would like to start by thanking NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was drawn to this title by the GORGEOUS cover and the promise of looking into friendship, love and AI while being set in Santa Cruz (an area I know well). I felt this novel did not deliver on those promises.
The story mainly centers around Mitty and Bethel (Bethel being my favorite character in the story). Bethel is the elderly roommate who knows Mitty's mom and took in Mitty a decade ago. We do not get to see much about the inter-workings of Bethel and Mitty's story on why she came to arrive in Santa Cruz is so drawn out that by the time the reason is revealed I didn't care anymore.
Lena's storyline is confusing and not showcased in a way to truly understand what is going on in her mind- once the 'twist' is brought up it is done so in a hurried manner that it just seems like a afterthought to get the story to end.

I will warn the ending is ambiguous- if you are someone who likes all the loose ends tied up, this is not for you. This aspect is not something that bothers me, but I have reader friends where this would be a deal breaker.

An unlikely friendship between new neighbors, Mitty and Lena, brings up one’s hidden past, and threatens the other’s carefully built façade as the perfect live-in girlfriend.
“She can’t help but think of the zoo she used to visit with her mother. How mesmerized she was by the massive cats that skulked from one side of their enclosure to the other, shoulder blades moving against their skin like fists stretching a disk of pizza dough. She remembers the smell of her mother’s breath, soured form coffee, as she leaned down next to Mitty’s ear and whispered, They only walk like that in captivity when they’re plotting how to escape”
Olivia Gatwood’s fleshed out characters and setting feel so real it feels as though one could step into the pages and smell the mothballs at Bethel and Mitty’s, and the eucalyptus at Sebastian and Lena’s houses. Gatwood answers the question of what is means to be human, and how to forgive oneself for hurting someone else. Some questions are left unanswered, which did leave my somewhat frustrated, but I don’t know if it would give me any solace to have the real answers, and perhaps some of the beauty here is that we can hold onto the happiness we left Lena with and to let her be in control of the last we see of her.

I LOVE Olivia Gatwood. She's one of my favourite poets. So naturally, I jumped at the chance to read her first novel. The cover is stunning also.

I don't know how to feel about this book. I finished it last night and perhaps I need to give it a bit more time, but I have so many emotions about it. And I suppose that's a good thing. Although slow to start, it really picked up about 20-30% in and I loved the writing and annotated many times throughout. It was incredibly visual. The character development and relationships were intriguing and I thought I was able to get a good grasp of the main and supporting characters. I can absolutely see this being a movie.

I think one particular line in the book description made the "twist" too obvious and there was a ton of foreshadowing, but I don't want to draw attention to it and create a spoiler so I'll leave it to other readers to come to their own conclusions. That being said, I suppose it's never really confirmed, and consequently, I think the ending was a tad rushed. I have a few unanswered questions but perhaps that was Gatwood's intention all along. WHO KNOWS?!?!

Perfect for readers who like books about women friendships, a bit of sci-fi, and creepy vibes, set in a small town.

Right now I give it a 3.75-4 but that may change.

I really liked this book. to me it kinda felt like it was mostly ~vibes~ as opposed to an actual plot, but it still kept me intrigued. I do wish that it spent more time on the AI plot (bc im nosy and want to know what happened), and also wish the ending for Lena was more concrete. but reading about grown adults dealing with belonging & friendships & their past was refreshing

Olivia Gatewood is a dream. I have loved her poetry for years--and this novel is just amazing. You cannot miss Gatewood's signature voice. I am excited for more people to experience her genius.

"Whoever You Are, Honey" by Olivia Gatwood is an introspective masterpiece that delves deep into the complexities of womanhood, loneliness, and the bonds of female friendship. Set against the captivating backdrop of Santa Cruz, Gatwood weaves a narrative rich in themes of regret, the haunting specter of our pasts, and thought-provoking insights into the potential rise of AI dominance. This novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a profound exploration of the human experience intertwined with futuristic possibilities. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to preview Whoever You Are, Honey by Olivia Gatwood in return for my honest review. I finished this one about a week ago and needed to sit with it before I felt like I could articulate my feelings. I struggled with it a bit. You might, too, if you are someone that likes obvious endings with no loose ends. You aren't going to get an ending tied in a nice bow here. The ambiguity was hard for me at first. I'd grown connected to our protagonists and wanted to see how their situations ended. This is a tribute to Gatwood's character building; she left me wanting more. The characters had reactions and feelings that seemed realistic and true to their experiences. I enjoyed this one a lot and recommend it to fans of stories about female relationships, power dynamics in couples, and not-too-distant future tech.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. It read like a sad unfulfilled yarn about a couple of sad, unfulfilled women. Lena is the more interesting of the two characters and although we never find out whether she is an android her story is the one I wish we could have explored in more depth. She is the character with potential and yet Mitty is the one we focus on the most— who sleepwalks through her depressed life enabled by her mom and elderly friend who keep her cloistered as if she committed murder not a lapse of judgement. Not my favorite.

From the cover alone you know you are in for something unique and dark.

Gatwood's first novel takes place in Santa Cruz where the waterfront has been razed and rebuilt by the wealthy elite leaving one sole house where Mitty and her roommate Bethel reside. When Sebastian and Lena move in, there every day solitary lives are punctured. Why does Lena have holes in her memory? Why is Mitty so entranced? What are the secrets that have arrived with this new neighbor?

Gatwood offers thoughtful and intricate writing on loneliness, self and being a woman. And a twist that will leave you thinking about this book for a long, long time.
#randomhouse #oliviagatwood #whoeverryouarehoney

This is a sloooooow burn, and the “twist” was pretty clearly telegraphed from the beginning. That might’ve been intentional, not every novel needs to have an M Night plot twist! It EXCELS in atmospheric dread and world building… Santa Cruz as a preapocalyptic tech desert is vividly terrifying… and there are some incredibly profound lines in here about girlhood and patriarchy and all that good stuff. I don’t think I’d read this again— the first 30% was a bit of a slog— but I’m very glad I read it once!

"Whoever You Are, Honey" by Olivia Gatwood is a breathtaking collection of poetry that delves deep into the complexities of identity, womanhood, and the search for belonging. Gatwood, with her raw and unapologetic voice, invites readers on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, exploring the joys and struggles of navigating a world that often seeks to limit and define us.

At the heart of "Whoever You Are, Honey" is Gatwood's fearless exploration of femininity and the female experience. Through her evocative language and vivid imagery, she captures the beauty and resilience of women in all their forms—mothers, daughters, sisters, lovers, and warriors. From the quiet moments of introspection to the fiery declarations of defiance, Gatwood celebrates the multifaceted nature of womanhood with honesty and grace.

Gatwood's poetry is both deeply personal and universally relatable, touching on themes of love, loss, trauma, and healing with sensitivity and insight. She mines her own experiences and emotions with a fearless honesty, inviting readers to confront their own vulnerabilities and embrace their authentic selves. Through her words, she offers a message of empowerment and self-acceptance, reminding readers that their voices matter and their stories deserve to be heard.

Moreover, "Whoever You Are, Honey" is not just a celebration of womanhood—it's also a call to action for social justice and equality. Gatwood tackles issues of misogyny, violence, and discrimination with a fierce urgency, challenging readers to confront the injustices that persist in our society and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future. Her poetry serves as a rallying cry for change, inspiring readers to stand up and speak out against oppression in all its forms.

The collection is also notable for its stunning imagery and masterful use of language. Gatwood's poetry is rich with vivid descriptions and powerful metaphors, painting a vivid portrait of the world around us and the emotions within us. Her words linger in the mind long after the page is turned, leaving a lasting impression on readers and inviting them to reflect on the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

In conclusion, "Whoever You Are, Honey" by Olivia Gatwood is a tour de force of poetry that will leave readers breathless and inspired. With its fearless exploration of womanhood, its passionate advocacy for social justice, and its stunning imagery and language, it's a collection that demands to be read and celebrated. Gatwood's voice is one of courage, compassion, and resilience, and her poetry is a testament to the power of words to change hearts and minds.

4/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

**NetGalley provided copy** I have to admit, I chose this book because of the cover. I read the synopsis after that and was definitely interested. I haven’t read any of the author’s poetry so this was my first exposure to her.

It seems like a straightforward book and premise but there is a lot of underlying intrigue and suspense. Given some of the complex books out there where the characters can be confused with each other, I found this really refreshing. There are really only two main characters (Mitty and Lena) with three side characters (Bethel, Sebastian, and Patricia). The story is told from Mitty’s and Lena’s perspectives, alternating between the two. The story is slow to develop and it ends up building the suspense really well.

One thing to note is that there are no chapters in this book. It does have well defined sections though so it was easy to find a place to pause. There are a couple sections from “before” for Mitty’s story.

I can’t for other people to read this so I can ask about their thoughts on the ending!

i adore olivia gatwood with all my heart. i have read all of her works and i was so excited since the first hint at her debut novel. IT CERTAINLY DID NOT DISAPPOINT. i love books that explore women and female relationships and you can definitely tell the author is a poet because of the beautiful beautiful writing style. i loved it

This was a really well done debut novel, it had everything that was promised in the description. The characters were what I was hoping for from this type of book and really well crafted. Olivia Gatwood does a great job in writing this and keeping me invested. I’m glad I got to read this and left me wanting more from the author.

Whoever You Are, Honey is my first book by this authour and I am officially a Gatwood fan! This was a unique look on the lives of women in a slice of life story that had a surprising number of thriller techniques strewn throughout. It made the story incredibly quick to read with undertones of suspicious behaviours and a tone that had me questioning certain characters, desperate to know more.

Possible spoilers (I recall reading aspects of this being AI in the synopsis and think it would’ve hit harder if I didn’t know that going in. It unfolded in a lovely way and looking at the updates I think this decision was changed and prefer it).

My only critique here is that I wanted more from the ending. I didn’t dislike it but desperately wanted to know what happened with Lena as she was the one I identified with most. This was very much slice of life and it has a solid structure of how it’s ending and I don’t have many questions besides that. I get it’s most likely the point here and was a creative choice but I hated filling in a definitive answer to Lena’s “end.” For that I’d give it a solid 3.5 ⭐️